Principal/Sr. Principal Structural Design Engineer (Active Secret)

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

About the role

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.

Job responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following

• 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.

Additional information

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Structural Design Engineer level or a Sr. Principal Structural Design Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below.

Basic Qualifications - Principal Structural Design Engineer

• 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.
• 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

Basic Qualifications – Sr. Principal Structural Design Engineer

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• EVMS/CAM and Project Management experience

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

• Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck.
• We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life.
• For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards.

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Primary Level Salary Range

$114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$142,200.00 - $213,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.