Engineer/Principal Engineer - Survivability (California)
United States-California-Palmdale · United States-California-San Diego · United States-California-El Segundo$101k–$188kPosted Jul 23, 2026
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 50% 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.
Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Engineer/Principal Engineer - Survivability to join our team. This position can be located in Palmdale, San Diego or El Segundo California.
The selected candidate will support one or more of the sub-disciplines within Survivability:
* Component- and system-level signature design, modeling, and analysis in the electromagnetic (EM), infrared (IR), visual (VIS) and acoustic spectrums
* RF measurement / testing (Tiers 0-3)
* Liaison engineering, supporting technicians with job inspections, defect disposition and guidance, and all-up system assessments
* Material & Process development, testing, and application
* Mission systems design, integration and test
Potential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
* Coordinate with designers and supportability / maintainability engineers to ensure component and system compliance with Survivability requirements
* Develop and integrate advanced technology to reduce system detectability
* Implement and manipulate analytical codes; building and analyzing virtual models, optimizing designs, troubleshooting issues, and performing trend analysis
* Design, plan, and execute RCS/RF tests (Tier 0 – 3), to include determining test requirements, selecting testing methods and measurements, operating and maintaining equipment, executing setup and test events, and delivering pre/post test reports
* Analyze component and system test results and deliver recommendations on materials, capabilities, and other aspects of Survivability performance
* Coordinate with suppliers / vendors on material, technology, and equipment design, delivery, implementation and test, to include developing requirements, writing SOWs, providing engineering oversight, and tracking / reporting performance
This position could require travel up to 50%.
Basic Qualifications:
* Education Experience Requirement:
* Engineer (LV2): Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM and 0 years of related engineering experience
* Principal Engineer (LV3): Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience.
* Fundamental understanding of one or more scientific principles related to Survivability (electromagnetic transmission through space and within materials, IR reflectance / emissivity and contrast, light or sound propagation, etc.)
* Experience in one or more of the Survivability sub-disciplines, across one or more of the spectrums (RF, IR, Vis, Acoustic), including design and analysis, measurement, integration and test,...