Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer

Northrop Grumman • Chantilly, VA

1d • $129,300 - $193,900 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer to join its Mission Systems Discipline Engineering Organization in Chantilly, Virginia. This is an on-site, full-time position supporting the design, analysis, integration, and testing of hardware systems and systems of systems, including developmental and fielded SIGINT systems. The role involves designing in 3D CAD, validating designs through analysis and calculations, procuring and assembling first-article designs, and working with manufacturers to validate design for manufacturability. The engineer will also support the operation and maintenance of fielded systems and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, customers, end users, operators, and field representatives to improve system uptime and capabilities.

The position may require CONUS travel of up to 10%, with additional travel possible based on interest and program needs. Relocation assistance may be available. The role does not require a clearance to start, but the employee must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent STEM-related discipline.
• Minimum experience: 8 years with a bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a master’s degree, or 4 years with a Ph.D.
• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
• Experience with design modeling and drawing using 3D modeling tools.
• Experience and willingness to be hands-on during hardware assembly, testing, and integration.
• Experience creating designs using machined steel and aluminum, sheet metal, welded fixtures, additive manufacturing/composites components, and assemblies.
• Experience creating mechanical documentation, including part drawings, assembly drawings, and ANSI standards.
• Experience performing mechanical analyses, including structural FEA, modal, and thermal analyses, to validate and qualify designs.
• Hands-on experience in prototype or production machine shops, including interpreting drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.

Nice To Haves

• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Experience packaging custom electronics and COTS into ruggedized enclosures for airborne and ground systems.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD tools for complex assemblies, configurations, and ANSI/ASME drawings.
• Experience with CAD data management and configuration control, including PDM/PLM, revision control, and release workflows.
• Familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) and applying PMI/GD&T within 3D models.
• Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical, RF, and software disciplines in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting hardware integration, testing, and troubleshooting in laboratory and field environments.
• Ability to produce clear, complete mechanical documentation, including parts, assemblies, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Aptitude and experience in systems integration and test activities, including hardware/software integration, verification, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of SIGINT operations.

Responsibilities

• Create designs, perform analysis, integrate hardware, test deliverables, and generate documentation for hardware systems and systems of systems.
• Use 3D CAD to design solutions.
• Use 3D CAD and other resources to perform analysis and calculations that validate designs.
• Procure, inspect, and assemble first-article designs.
• Work with manufacturers to validate design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Support operations and maintenance of fielded SIGINT systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to upgrade and improve developmental and fielded systems and maximize uptime and capabilities.
• Interface and collaborate with customers, end users, operators, and field representatives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
• Relocation assistance may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior