Sr. Principal Tool Engineer

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.

Strategic Space Systems Division (SSSD) is an industry-leading provider for prime satellite and payload capabilities and directed energy and electronics solutions for national security, military, and civil customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible.

Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems Division (SSSD) has an opening for a Sr. Principal Tool Engineer within the Tooling & Hardware Acquisition Section of the Mechanical Engineering & Ground Support Department. This position will be located at Space Park in Redondo Beach, CA.

Candidate will use a systems engineering approach to analyze requirements for and design mechanical solutions by creating 3D models and drawings utilizing CATIA V5 & 3DX. In particular, the candidate will create layout drawings, fabrication drawings and engineering change orders, give design review presentations and perform some fundamental types of analysis (e.g. strength of materials). Other tasks might include fabrication engineering liaison support, hardware testing, and supporting Integration and Test (I&T) operations as related to Tooling/MGSE usage and processing.

This position also supports offsite tooling efforts including: managing tooling suppliers, solving technical fabrication concerns at suppliers, traveling to suppliers to ensure NGC tooling requirements are met, coordinating with the analyst team for supplier bids and schedules.

Senior Principal Tool Designers are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who have the ability to provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives. We seek Senior Principal Tool Designers that use a unique skill set that includes a hands-on approach and act as a technical representative voice for the Tooling organization.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline plus 9 years of engineering experience OR Master's of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline plus 7 years of engineering experience OR High School Diploma/G.E.D plus 13 years of engineering experience in lieu of degree

• Proven leadership experience on a project and/or team

• Experience with design modeling and/or drawing efforts using 3-D CAD modeling tools such as CATIA

• High level of experience and comfort with Geometric Dimensioning or Tolerancing (GD&T)

• Candidate must be willing and able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance: DoD Top Secret or SCI Access

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven record of tooling design capability and innovation at all levels of complexity

• Ability to support project work on-site

• Proficiency with CATIA V5 and/or CATIA 3D

• Experience with tool design in an aircraft assembly line environment

• Project management experience with tool design

• Root Cause Analysis/CPATS experience in tooling and working directly with shop floor personnel to identify root causes

• Experience with machine shop fabrication best practices, processes, and capabilities

• Experience in structural analysis using hand-calculations and Finite Element Methods

• Familiar with MIL-STD, NAS, ASME specs/standards documentation

• Experience with commonly used mechanical off-the-shelf hardware (ie. fasteners, shims, washers, etc.)

• An active U.S. Government security clearance: Department of Defense Top Secret level with a background investigation date within 6 years OR SCI Access with a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) completed within 5 years OR Department of Energy Q clearance with a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) completed within 5 years.

Salary Range: $117,700 USD - $176,500 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 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.