Principal/Sr. Principal Structural Design Engineer (Active Secret)
About The Position
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking a Principal / Sr. Principal Structural Design Engineer (Level 3 or 4) to join the Vehicle Engineering Directorate within Western Region Engineering. This position is located onsite in Redondo Beach, California. As a Structural Design Engineer, you will lead the preliminary, conceptual, and detailed design of spacecraft components, subsystems, and systems. Your responsibilities will include developing high‑fidelity simulation models, releasing detailed drawings, and coordinating manufacturing, integration, test, and delivery of space‑vehicle structures.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of engineering experience or Master’s degree in STEM with 3+ years of engineering experience or Ph.D. in STEM with 1+ year of engineering experience (for Principal level) OR Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of engineering experience or Master’s degree in STEM with 6+ years of engineering experience or Ph.D. in STEM with 4+ years of engineering experience (for Sr. Principal level).
- Prior work experience in aerospace subsystem design, mechanical‑design integration, or related engineering experience.
- Proficiency with a CAD system (Siemens NX, CATIA V5, or 3DX).
- Must have an active U.S. Government Secret clearance at the time of application.
Nice To Haves
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- EVMS/CAM and Project Management experience
Responsibilities
- Perform requirements definition, conceptual design, preliminary/layout work, detailed design, drawing release, design‑review presentations, and support for fabrication/integration.
- Conduct bus‑equipment layout, payload layout, and preliminary cable‑ and harness‑routing (DC, RF, waveguide).
- Collaborate closely with stress, manufacturing, M&P, and test teams to define design requirements, establish structural load paths, develop CAD models, and produce engineering drawings for flight and structural‑test articles.
- Generate and maintain part and assembly drawings, source‑control drawings, interface‑control drawings, and installation drawings.
- Participate in system‑level trades to ensure the vehicle meets all physical, mechanical, and environmental requirements while supporting payload, power, propulsion, thermal, communications, and attitude‑control system needs.
- Support program milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, IDR, etc.) and gate or lien closures.
- Provide I&T sustaining support.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance may be available
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- Company paid holidays
- paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- overtime
- shift differential
- discretionary bonus
- Annual bonuses
- Long Term Incentives (for VP or Director positions)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
