Principal Mechanical Engineer (*Active DoD Secret required)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

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.

The Payload and Ground Systems, a division within Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, redefining engineering capabilities, and driving advances in various sciences through cutting-edge technology.  Our team is chartered with providing the skills, and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join a dynamic team in Fairfax, VA, that supports programs related to space-based optical communications systems. The Northrop Grumman Atmospheric Effects Group (AEG) has developed the Lasercom Atmospheric Monitoring and Prediction System (LAMPS) to provide situational awareness and short-term atmospheric predictions to inform space-to-ground optical communications demonstrations and missions. LAMPS is a TRL9 system composed of several atmospheric monitoring sensors that has been designed, deployed, and continuously improved over the last 9 years. The position is to support the maturation and productization of the LAMPS hardware design to provide a self-contained, turn-key system to customers. The candidate will support a new multi-year program and IRAD activities within the Space Sector.

The candidate will review the existing LAMPS design, develop ICDs (Interface Control Documents) and CAD drawings of the components, document the power budgets of the components and the system, and design a standard platform for consistent deployment of LAMPS to locations in the field. This will include working with CONEX vendors to optimize the design of a LAMPS platform that is attached to an existing CONEX and potentially a complete, off-the-grid LAMPS CONEX design including non-standard power options. The candidate will also lead the hardware assembly, integration, and testing of the LAMPS components prior to deployment and perform installations of LAMPS at locations both CONUS and OCONUS.

Key responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Development of ICDs

• Documentation of individual and total system power requirements

• Development of CAD models visualizing various design solutions

• Identification of gaps within the LAMPS design and/or requirements; provide a resolution that is cost effective and efficient

• Procurement of hardware in support of mechanical design changes

• Serve as the point of contact with vendors, manufacturers, and technician teams in the fabrication, assembly, and installation of test lab equipment

• Assembly, integration, and testing of LAMPS.  Implement proper cable routing, securing, and ruggedization techniques to ensure systems deployed are robust and suitable for long term exposure to driving wind, rain, and sunlight, i.e. use of cable strain relief techniques and products, UV resistant materials, etc.

• Deployment/installation of LAMPS at multiple Optical Ground Station (OGS) locations, CONUS and OCONUS

This position will be at our Fairfax, Virginia site.  This position requires being onsite and does not support remote or hybrid work. 

Basic Qualifications

• Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application

• Must have a completed STEM degree with below years of experience in systems engineering [a degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics]

  • 5 Years of relevant experience with a completed Bachelor's (STEM)

  • 3 Years of relevant experience with a completed Masters's (STEM)

  • 1 Years of relevant experience with a completed Ph.D. (STEM)

• Must have above minimum experience on the below:

  • Experience using computer-aided design (CAD) software to analyze & interpret technical data. (Preference in the use of SolidWorks)

  • Experience with design/fabrication techniques for structural details, assemblies, and/or installations

  • Procurement of hardware in support of mechanical designs and ability to generate detailed equipment Bills of Materials (BOMs).

  • Familiar with Hardware “Kitting”

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business need

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in an Engineering discipline

• Experience working closely with multiple functional organizations (Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Field Operations, etc.) 

• Experience working with vendors, manufacturers, and technician teams in the fabrication, assembly, and installation of equipment

To better support our employee’s work/life balance, most NG worksites support a 9/80 work schedule. The 9/80 schedule allows employees to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off.  This schedule or other work-hour flexibility options can be determined upon hire.

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. #definingpossible

Salary Range: $100,300.00 - $150,500.00

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 committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA 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.