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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.Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a GNC Engineer: Aerodynamics – Level 3 located in Chandler, AZ, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
In this role you will drive configuration trade studies, develop high‑fidelity 6‑DOF aerodynamic models, and manage wind‑tunnel programs while supervising a small technical team and presenting results to senior leadership.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
In this job, you will:
- Lead and contribute to advanced launch‑vehicle aerodynamic design from concept through integration and test, overseeing a small technical team.
- Conduct configuration trade studies that assess mission performance impacts from static/dynamic S&C, propulsion, and mass properties.
- Develop high‑fidelity 6‑DOF aerodynamic models, including table generation, uncertainty analysis, and verification‑validation procedures.
- Plan, execute, and analyze wind‑tunnel tests for transonic and supersonic regimes.
- Present technical results and recommendations to senior leadership and customers via design reviews, reports, and formal presentations.
- Define staffing levels and coordinate schedules to align aerodynamic activities with overall program milestones.
- Apply expertise across subsonic to hypersonic and rarefied flow regimes using legacy CFD and predictive tools (Fluent, DSMC, Loci‑Chem, Fun3D, Cart3D, Missile Datcom).
- Perform aeroelastic and venting analyses, evaluating distributed loads, deflected‑vehicle effects, and ventilation requirements.
- Other duties as assigned
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) as well as obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding prior to start date.
This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.
Basic Qualifications for Level 3:
- Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical
- Experience with 6DOF aerodynamic model development
- Experience with Python and the Linux operating system
Basic Qualifications for Level 4:
- Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical
- Experience with 6DOF aerodynamic model development
- Experience with Python and the Linux operating system
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with autopilot and guidance algorithm design and navigation and actuator subsystems
- Experience with wind tunnel test planning and execution
- Experience with CFD
- Experience combining multiple data sources to create a cohesive aerodynamic 6DOF model
- Proven cross-functional technical leadership
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00The 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.Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
