Principal Engineer Materials and Process

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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.

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.

Climb to new heights on your journey when you start Defining Possible with Northrop Grumman. Enjoy a purposeful career in aeronautics that is crucial to the way we connect and protect our world across land, sea, and air. Bring your experience and take advantage of this opportunity to discover how you can start to push past possible and achieve your goals today. Enjoy a diverse, collaborative environment with professionals across the nation ready to help launch your career.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Engineer Materials and Process to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be in Beavercreek, OH.

Essential Functions:

• The selected candidate will be responsible for analyzing, researching, and developing materials and their related application processes for use in engineering design of and/or application in structures, systems and subsystems.
• The candidate shall apply their expertise in high‑temperature ceramics and carbon/carbon (C/C) composites to lead the design, development, and qualification of next‑generation thermal protection, structural, and aerospace components.
• The successful candidate will work cross‑functionally with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to translate material innovations into reliable, manufacturable products.
• Thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and extensive collaboration.

Basic Qualifications:

• Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Engineer Materials and Process include a Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) related field with 5 or more years of engineering experience or a Master's degree in STEM related field with 3 years of engineering experience OR a PhD in STEM with 0 years of experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain an in-scope DoD Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP)
• Proficiency and execution of mechanical, thermal, and environmental test plans (e.g., tensile, flexure, fracture toughness, thermal shock, oxidation, ablation).
• Knowledge of fabrication and application processes for specialty high temperature materials, and composite structures.
• Analyze test data, generate failure models, produce technical reports, and present findings to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects requiring cross-collaboration with other disciplines.
• Commitment to divide time between office, laboratory, and production floor wherever demand is required to achieve outcomes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., Master’s or Ph.D.) in Ceramics, Materials Science and Engineering or related engineering discipline with at least 5 years hands‑on experience with high‑temperature ceramics and C/C composites, preferably in aerospace, defense, or high‑performance industrial markets.
• Proficiency in designing and optimizing processing routes for C/C composites and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) to achieve target density, strength, and thermal oxidative properties.
• Supported or led R&D efforts on process development, testing, or qualification for composite and ceramic materials.
• Strong commitment and proven capability to work on multiple programs of varying size and scope at any given time, organize workload, achieve deliverables, and manage time effectively. 
• Experience working with material suppliers and troubleshooting issues on site.
• Experience reading and reviewing technical drawings, specifications and manufacturing plans.
• Familiarity with military specifications and standards, as well as experience interfacing with customers.
• Strong interpersonal communication and technical writing skills to enable effective personal interaction and collaboration with a multi-disciplined team and customers
• Team oriented, enthusiastic about working with others on cross functional teams, and eager for learning and self-improvement opportunities  
• Strong ability and willingness to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

Work Environment

• This position involves collaborative work with cross-disciplinary engineering teams and may require travel for site visits, testing, or customer engagements.
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment with high temperature furnaces, glove boxes, and hazardous chemicals (appropriate PPE required).

Primary Level Salary Range: $117,500.00 - $176,300.00

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. 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 application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity 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 and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.