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Principal Engineer Mechanical

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Redondo Beach, CA
Top Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Career Level not specified
$103,600 - $155,400

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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.

Embark on a career putting innovative, reliable, and agile products and ideas into orbit, and beyond. Northrop Grumman has opportunities waiting for you that play a vital role in human space exploration, national defense, and scientific discovery, supporting multiple programs across the universe. With us, you'll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today.

Space Systems is an industry-leading provider for prime satellite and payload capabilities and directed energy and electronics solutions for national security, military, and civil customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible possible.

Northrop Grumman, Western Region Manufacturing and Operations, Mechanical & Environmental Test Engineering Dept (M&ETE), has an opening for a Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) Level 3 to join our team of highly qualified and diverse individuals. MGSE is non-flight hardware used to support the integration, test, and launch of spacecraft and its various stages of assembly. This includes, but is not limited to, lift slings, transportation systems, robotics, zero-g deployment fixtures, pneumatics, propellant loading systems, etc. This is an in-person position to be performed at the Redondo Beach, CA campus.

Mechanical Ground Systems Responsible Design Engineers (RDEs) develop design solutions for the aid of integration and test of space flight hardware in clean room environments. MGSE RDEs have many responsibilities. They establish requirements, design, perform structural analysis, draft 2D drawings, aid in the manufacturing of hardware, and aid in the composition of technical work instructions for the use of hardware designed and delivered.

Mechanical Ground Support Equipment Designers are responsible for the following:
  • Design and modeling in 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software
  • Drafting using Y14.5 GD&T
  • Fabrication support at vendors including acceptance testing and inspection
  • End-user support during integration operations
  • Develop conceptual design
  • Requirements definition
  • Develop and present design reviews
  • Perform first order structural analysis of isotropic materials
  • Develop and capture proof load diagrams
  • Resolve deviations to fabrication drawings and hardware non-conformances
  • Integration & Test process flow development


Qualified Principal Mechanical Engineers (Level3) are expected to work under only general direction. Independently determine and develop approaches to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. Candidate will need to have intermediate understanding of GD&T in accordance with (IAW) ASME Y14.5, engineering and drawing development IAW ASME Y14. and intermediate knowledge of bolted joints and welding of aluminum and steel structures IAW AWS Standards. Successful candidates in this role will have strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills. Candidates are expected to drive alignment across various program functions to meet ambitious deadlines while prioritizing first-time quality and organizational sustainability.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:
  • Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
  • 401k
  • Educational Assistance
  • Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
  • Paid Time Off
  • Health & Wellness Resources
  • Employee Discounts


This position's standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelors of Science Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline plus 5 years of experience OR Masters of Science Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline plus 3 years of experience
  • Experience in working on multi-disciplinary teams, preferably within Integration, Test, and Launch (IT&L) or Manufacturing environment
  • ASME Y14.5 experience
  • First order structural analysis experience
  • Preliminary and critical design review (PDR and CDR) development experience
  • Excellent communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills
  • Active Top Secret (TS) clearance (Required Day 1)
  • Previously held an active SCI clearance within the last 12 months


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance
  • Experience with design of MGSE
  • Experience with manufacturing or integration of P093 program hardware
  • Intermediate understanding of Finite Element Analysis
  • Experience developing support equipment to be used at the Eastern or Western Range
  • Design for manufacturing (DFM) experience
  • Experience developing support equipment for use in Thermal Vacuum
  • Experience developing over the road or over the air satellite transportation equipment


Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

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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