Aircraft Structural 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.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, Special Mission Aircraft Operating Unit is seeking an Aircraft Principal / Sr. Principal Structural Engineer to join our team at Middle River, MD. Our team provides customers with support specializing in Special Mission Aircraft (SMA) Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).  This business area focuses on the design, analysis, modification, integration, ground and flight testing, airworthiness certification, and logistics support of airborne ISR platforms that are primarily highly modified commercial-derivative aircraft.  This includes both Mission Equipment Package (MEP) Support, Platform Maintenance, and Platform/System Modification.

The Structural Engineer will provide technical leadership to and interface with a multi-disciplined team, including other Engineers, Mechanics, Management, Pilots, Quality Control, and Supply Chain. The chosen candidate should also be able guide and mentor junior Engineers if required. The Structural Engineer will perform a variety of engineering work including technical project management, design / analysis of aircraft repairs, and of the modifications that integrate sensors and equipment onto aircraft including antennae, radars/sensors, cameras, cabin workstations, and equipment racks. The Structural Engineer will interface with the internal and external Program Offices, functional management, internal and external Customers, as well as suppliers/vendors and subcontractors; and will maintain an active involvement in every step throughout the lifecycle once a project is initiated. FAA and Military Airworthiness requirements and certification is a significant aspect of all projects and the ideal candidate will have experience with both Civil and Military Airworthiness.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing the technical performance of aircraft modification and repair projects; project planning, cost and schedule estimation; risk management; manufacturing support; vendor selection and management; project staffing.
• Perform structural design and analysis of aircraft modifications and repairs
• Creating conceptual and detailed designs of primary and secondary aircraft structural components using 3D solid modeling
• Perform detail analysis of primary and secondary aircraft structure utilizing both classical hand calculations and Finite Element Modeling/Analysis (FEM/FEA).
• Writing detailed structural substantiation reports and other technical reports as required in order to obtain FAA/Military airworthiness approvals
• Performing trade studies, requirements derivation, and establishing the overall aircraft configuration based on Customer requirements
• Bill of material and data configuration management; fastener and material selection
• Create, review and check engineering drawings, reports, and cost/schedule estimates for completeness and accuracy

The successful candidate will be a self-starter, a team player, and possess the ability to research and effectively resolve technical issues both independently and as part of a large multi-disciplined team. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as interpersonal skills in order to coordinate with a variety of disciplines are also essential. This position requires the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to frequently changing requirements.  The candidate will be required to effectively and efficiently work at offsite locations that may require travel. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications for level 3 (Principal):

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering plus 5 years of relevant experience or 3 years of relevant experience with an MS degree

• Aircraft modification / repair experience, minimum of 3 years
• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to attain DoD TS/SCI clearance
• Ability and experience in creating detailed 3D CAD models using Siemens NX, Dassault Catia, or similar software
• Ability and experience in performing airframe structural analysis via a combination of classical hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (Static & Fatigue)
• Ability and experience in creating detailed aircraft FEM/FEA using NX CAE/Patran/Nastran or similar software
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Federal Aviation Administration aircraft certification requirements
• Knowledge of and familiarity with a variety of manufacturing methods, including metallic and composite structures
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead project teams

Basic Qualifications for level 4 (Sr. Principal):

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering plus 9 years of relevant experience or 7 years of relevant experience with an MS degree
• Aircraft modification / repair experience, minimum of 7 years

• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to attain DoD TS/SCI clearance
• Ability and experience in creating detailed 3D CAD models using Siemens NX, Dassault Catia, or similar software
• Ability and experience in performing airframe structural analysis via a combination of classical hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (Static & Fatigue)
• Ability and experience in creating detailed aircraft FEM/FEA using NX CAE/Patran/Nastran or similar software
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Federal Aviation Administration aircraft certification requirements
• Knowledge of and familiarity with a variety of manufacturing methods, including metallic and composite structures
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead project teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability and experience in developing aircraft modification data packages and supporting a project throughout the entire lifecycle
• Prior design and analysis experience in solid laminate and sandwich composite structures for aircraft fairings and radomes
• Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Aircraft Structural Loads Development and Damage Tolerance Analysis experience
• Current FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25 Designated Engineering Representative (DER) in Structures
• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
• Flight Test experience
• Experience integrating C4ISR payloads onto commercial derivative aircraft

Salary Range: $123,800 USD - $185,800 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.