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Engineer/Principal Research Development Engineer Level 2/3

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Clearfield, UT
Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Career Level not specified
$79,300 - $118,900

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Engineer/Principal Research and Development Engineer Level 2/3 ( Mechanical Testing ) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Clearfield, UT. Our Research and Development team works to support process development and automation of composite aerospace structures. We engineer the latest composite structures for military/commercial aircraft and launch structures, and are leaders in next-generation composite development. We operate as principal investigators over IRAD and Process Service project schedules and budgets. Would you like to work on the cutting edge of aerospace? Come join our team!

This role will mostly focus on MECHANICAL TESTING of composite materials but there will be some overlap with execution of test article fabrication and machining.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Author, modify and audit procedures for the manufacture of composite test articles
  • Execution to ASTM standards
  • Hands on experience with Instron and MTS load frames and software
  • Develop unique test methods and procedures when ASTM standards are not applicable
  • Oversee and/or perform mechanical testing
  • Support execution of the project requirements to cost and schedule objectives
  • Direct and/or execute instrumentation (e.g. strain gaging)
  • Solve technical issues using root cause methodologies based on underlying scientific principals and an understanding of chemical processes
  • Provide technical reports, decisions and recommendations based on test data
  • Work with internal and external testing partners to ensure success of R&D projects


Secondary Responsibilities:
  • Develop processes and optimize material solutions for pilot scale fabrication of complex composite materials.
  • Plan and execute the transition to production scale manufacturing and assist in defining equipment and floor plan needs.
  • Lead development efforts to reduce cost, increase process efficiency, and ensure consistent quality in support of current and future programs
  • Resolve production issues in process working closely with manufacturing personnel
  • Support manufacturing of composite structures
  • Oversee and/or machining composite materials and machine programming.


Basic Qualifications :

Research Development Engineer Level 2:
  • Bachelor's Degree in STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) and 1 years of engineering experience or Masters in a STEM field and 0 years of engineering experience
  • Material and Process Engineering experience in composite material systems
  • Aerospace composite manufacturing methods
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance per company and business needs
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR) per company and business needs


Principal Research Development Engineer Level 3:
  • Bachelor's Degree in STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) and 4 years of engineering experience or Masters in a STEM field and 3 years of engineering experience OR; PhD in STEM with 0 years of experience
  • Material and Process Engineering experience in composite material systems
  • Aerospace composite manufacturing methods
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance per company and business needs
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR) per company and business needs
  • Experience in Project Engineering/Principal Investigator experience


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active DoD Clearance
  • Active Special Program Access (PAR)
  • Digital Image Correlation
  • Specimen instrumentation and data acquisition. i.e. strain gage, LVDT, or extensometers
  • Statistical analysis methods
  • Able to navigate Catia V5 and NX
  • Knowledge of honeycomb core types
  • Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA)
  • Design of Experiments training
  • Basic knowledge of hand-tools & safety
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
  • Basic knowledge of LabView


Primary Level Salary Range: $79,300.00 - $118,900.00

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

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.
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About Us
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
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Job Category
IT - Software
Clearance Level
Secret