2026 Associate Propulsion Engineer - Elkton MD

About the role

Northrop Grumman is seeking Propulsion Engineers to join the Propulsion Systems & Controls Business Unit within the Weapon Systems Division at the Defense Systems Sector in Elkton, MD. The qualified candidate will work as a Solid Rocket Motor Performance Analyst.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of manager/senior analysts, conduct performance analyses in support of solid rocket motor propulsion system design and verification activities
• Develop mathematical models to match the physics of the system under evaluation including proper analysis methods/tools, boundary conditions, and appropriate material properties
• Perform analyses including prediction of solid rocket motor pressure, thrust, impulse; sizing of ignition systems, grain design to meet performance requirements, nozzle contouring to improve impulse, anchoring of models to test data
• Participate in training to develop technical expertise in solid propellant analysis and design
• Work within peer review environment to build experience in group technical reviews
• Provide technical assessments of test data including validation of analysis
• Support propulsion and subsystem team leads to ensure technical and cost execution of each system component
• Prepare and present technical reports and presentations of work product to both internal and external customers

Basic Qualifications

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD) from an accredited institution by December 2026
• Be majoring in or having majored in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• Experience or coursework in rocket propulsion, heat transfer, thermodynamics, or compressible fluid mechanics

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
• Current Active Security Clearance
• Experience or coursework in solid rocket motors design and analysis and nozzle theory
• Experience or coursework in CAD software (NX preferred), Solid Performance Program (SPP), CEA600

Pay

• Level 1: $72,700 - $109,100
• Level 2: $87,600 - $131,400

Relocation assistance may be available. This position requires Secret clearance and travel of 10% of the time. This position falls under a Federal Explosives License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); candidates hired will be required to complete and submit an Employee Possessor Questionnaire to ATF for approval.