Northrop Grumman
Aeronautical Engineer OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Aeronautical Engineer OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) to support our R&AD division. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, CA.
This position will conduct preliminary design and analysis of advanced manned and unmanned air vehicles demonstrating technical expertise and knowledge of other related disciplines.
Responsibilities Include:
- Aerodynamic analysis, aerodynamic database generation, and wind tunnel test support for aircraft designs
- Design synthesis and optimization of vehicles to mission requirements
- Conduct aerodynamic analysis and design trade studies to define and evaluate advanced concepts, predict aerodynamic behavior, identify technology requirements, and provide design guidance to the other team disciplines.
- Develop technical solutions to various problems, which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity.
- Interact with and brief external stakeholders
This position can be filled at either the Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) level OR the Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
- Bachelor of Science in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 2 years of relevant professional engineering experience OR a Master of Science in a related STEM discipline with 0 years of professional engineering experience.
- Experience building aerodynamic databases from test and analysis data
- Experience with aircraft aerodynamic conceptual design and drag build up
- Experience with stability and control vehicle assessments
- Active US Government Secret clearance (or higher)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
- Bachelor of Science in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant professional engineering experience; OR a Master of Science in a related STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant professional engineering experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant professional engineering experience.
- Experience building aerodynamic databases from test and analysis data
- Experience with aircraft aerodynamic conceptual design and drag build up
- Experience with stability and control vehicle assessments
- Active US Government Secret clearance (or higher)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Experience with Aircraft System Identification
- Experience with Wind Tunnel Test Planning and Support
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