Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer Structural - High Temperature Composites Structural Analysis

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. Our main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.

Northrop Grumman Space System Sector is looking for a Principal Engineer Structural to join the Structural Analysis and Test team within Launch Vehicles at the Chandler, AZ facility. This role will perform structural analysis of high temperature materials for launch and hypersonic vehicle applications. This includes working on, and analyzing high temperature composite materials including metallic, CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites), Carbon-Carbon, etc. Problems include multi-physics aero-thermal-structural analysis, shape changes due to ablation, etc. Finite element analysis will be conducted with Abaqus or Nastran solvers and Hyperworks or Femap pre/post processor software.

Essential Functions:

• Under minimal direction, perform a variety of structural engineering tasks of an analysis, design, or test nature
• Perform stress analysis of high temperature materials such as Ceramic Matric Composites (CMCs), Carbon-Carbon or Ceramics in extreme aerothermal environments.
• Optimize structures for mass using a variety of methods including topology optimization.
• Select and/or modify proven methods, mathematical formulas, previous design and test information, handbook data or other available information related to the assignment
• Stress and bolted joint analysis of ground support equipment, test fixtures, compliance structures, and flight structures
• Use classical stress and strain methods and software to predict structural integrity and failure and design flight components and ground equipment to survive worst-case loading conditions
• Learn and develop proficiency with structural analysis software (Abaqus, Hyperworks, etc)
• Interpret, select, and apply company/commercial/military specifications and customer requirements to accomplish specific analyses
• Produce engineering documentation and technical reports/analyses to support design, integration, and testing efforts
• Gather, compile, and interpret technical data such as flight data, test data, or material test reports
• Other duties upon request

Principal Engineer Structural Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in STEM with 3 years of related engineering experience, or a PhD in STEM with no experience
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Strong structural analysis background with demonstrated work experience and knowledge of structural analysis
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications
• Familiarity with finite element analysis, classical stress and strain methodology, engineering statics, and structural mechanics
• Computer skills with standard word processing/spreadsheet experience
• Ability to listen effectively, take direction, and possess initiative to accomplish assigned tasks and complete work in a timely fashion

Sr. Principal Engineer Structural Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 9 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in STEM with 7 years of related engineering experience, or a PhD in STEM with 4 years related engineering experience
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Strong structural analysis background with demonstrated work experience and knowledge of structural analysis
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications
• Familiarity with finite element analysis, classical stress and strain methodology, engineering statics, and structural mechanics
• Computer skills with standard word processing/spreadsheet experience
• Ability to listen effectively, take direction, and possess initiative to accomplish assigned tasks and complete work in a timely fashion

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical/Aerospace principles
• Active DoD Secret security clearance, or higher
• Experience working on, and analyzing different extreme high temperature composite materials including metallic, CMCs, Carbon-Carbon, etc.
• Abaqus, NX Nastran or equivalent
• Hyperworks, Femap or equivalent
• Python, Matlab, or equivalent

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.