2026 Associate Engineer Aeronautical / Engineer Aeronautical (Secret Required) - Palmdale

Associate Engineer Aeronautical / Engineer Aeronautical

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 is seeking an Associate Engineer Aeronautical / Engineer Aeronautical. This position will be located at our Aeronautics Systems Sector in Palmdale, CA (possible location also includes Edwards AFB, CA).

This opening is assigned to night shift on a 4 day - 10 hours/day schedule (either Mon-Thu or Tue-Fri).

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman's Vehicle Engineering group. In Vehicle Engineering, we develop manned and unmanned aircraft platforms for all programs in the Aeronautics Systems Sector.

Essential Functions

The selected candidate will perform the following, including, but not limited to:

• Designs, develops, and tests a variety of aircraft parts, taking into consideration the most efficient use of the natural laws affecting flight.
• Establishes structural specifications, performs stress analysis, and conducts performance tests.
• Participates in the development and review of completed models, drawings, and repairs for accuracy, clarity, and completeness, to provide evaluation of engineering products for conformity to standards, procedures, and specifications.
• Carries out repairs and coordinates with a team of multiple disciplines engineers to determine effective solutions to defects that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives.
• Perform timely dispositions for nonconforming parts, assemblies, and installations.
• Analyzes, researches, and develops structural engineering analysis packages involving metals or composite structural materials for product design or operation of product.

This requisition may be filled at either an Associate Engineer Aeronautical (T01) or Engineer Aeronautical (T02).

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Engineer Aeronautical (T01)

• Be completing or has completed their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by August 2026.
• Be majoring in or having majored in: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a similar STEM degree.
• Active DOD Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) adjudicated within the last 5 years.
• Program Special Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite). Final approved U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special Access is required to start.

Basic Qualifications for an Engineer Aeronautical (T02)

• Be completing or has completed their Master's degree from an accredited institution by August 2026 or is completing their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 2 years of Aeronautical engineering experience (or similar engineering experience) by August 2026.
• Be majoring in or having majored in: Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a similar STEM degree.
• Active DOD Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) adjudicated within the last 5 years.
• Program Special Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite). Final approved U.S. Government security clearance as well as Program Special Access is required to start.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher
• Previous internship/co-op or other work experience, leadership & teamwork capabilities, interpersonal communication skills, and activities (professional/community/extracurricular).

Pay Range

• Associate Engineer Aeronautical (T01): $74,000 - $111,000
• Engineer Aeronautical (T02): $89,400 - $134,200

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.