GNC Engineer: Aerodynamics (Level 3/4) Chandler

Relocation assistance may be available. A U.S. Government Secret security clearance is required for start. Travel is required, approximately 10% of the time.

About the role

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.

The GNC Aerodynamics Engineering Team is hiring for a Sr. Principal Engineer located in Chandler, Arizona. Aerodynamics is critical to the success of launch vehicle missions—shaping performance, stability, and safety from concept through flight. In this role, you will lead advanced aerodynamic design and support wind tunnel experimentation in a highly technical environment. This position is 100% on-site and follows a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Take a lead role in the creation of advanced launch vehicle aerodynamic designs and support your team through all phases from conceptual and preliminary analyses to integration and testing.
• Perform aerodynamic configuration trade studies on mission performance, including effects of static and dynamic stability and control, propulsion, and mass properties.
• Develop aerodynamic models for use in 6 degree of freedom launch vehicle simulation models (table generation with logical dependencies, uncertainty analyses, V&V techniques).
• Design and support wind tunnel testing programs.
• Present your work and technical findings to management and senior leadership through design reviews, program milestones, technical reports, proposals, and formal customer presentations.
• Prepare and plan staffing requirements to support development of rocket vehicle design from concept to flight.
• Manage tasks and schedule to ensure smooth coordination with program teams and other leads.
• Assign, monitor, and review the work of your team for accuracy.
• Apply your experience in a wide range of flight regimes (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic, rarefied flows).
• Use legacy aerodynamic computer analysis programs (CFD & industry codes: Fluent, DSMC, Loci-Chem, Fun3D, Cart3D, Missile Datcom).
• Lead wind tunnel testing and evaluation (transonic and supersonic).
• Conduct launch vehicle aeroelastic analyses (distributed loads, deflected vehicle effects).
• Address launch vehicle venting analysis requirements and engineering methodologies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications for Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience with 6DOF aerodynamic model development.
• Experience with Python and the Linux operating system.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience with 6DOF aerodynamic model development.
• Experience with Python and the Linux operating system.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with autopilot and guidance algorithm design and navigation and actuator subsystems.
• Experience with wind tunnel test planning and execution.
• Experience with CFD.
• Experience combining multiple data sources to create a cohesive aerodynamic 6DOF model.
• Proven cross-functional technical leadership.

Pay

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and 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.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

Schedule

This position works a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.