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Materials Engineer Level 5

Sunnyvale, California, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security.  Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter.  Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Marine systems is seeking a Materials Engineer, Level 5, to lead materials engineering design and support for propulsion & machinery efforts on the Virginia-class of fast attack submarines. A presence in Sunnyvale, California is required for this role.

This position is for a dynamic role within Northrop Grumman’s Marine Systems Materials Engineering and Test Laboratory (METL) department. This is a fast-paced environment where the team provides materials engineering support to design engineering and on-site production activities.

An ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate subject matter expertise in materials and/or weld engineering and will have a strong background in metallurgical and weld processes for ferrous materials. This position requires subject matter expert level understanding of metallurgy, forming processes, metallographic evaluation, non-destructive test, heat treatments, corrosion control mechanisms, and industrial fabrication. Deep knowledge of common commercial weld codes are expected and knowledge of NavSea weld codes are a plus. Familiarity with Department of War programs and lifecycle management are also beneficial.

Regular activities in this role will include providing materials engineering expertise during design phases, ownership of materials engineering related tasks for upcoming Virginia products, and working with suppliers and our customer on fabrication processes and approvals.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen. A DOW clearance will be required for this position.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 12 years of relevant experience; OR a Master’s Degree in STEM with 10 years of relevant experience.

  • Experience with heavy industrial manufacturing.

  • Clear understanding of commercial materials processing, inspection, and related standards.

  • Experience with supplier quality, manufacturing-focused distributed supply chain, and vendor collaboration.

  • US Citizenship required.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

  • Ability to travel 10% annually.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience supporting U.S. Navy programs and/or the U.S. Department of War

  • Expert knowledge of common Navy fabrications codes and standards

  • Experience in the capture and execution of research and development activities.

  • 10+ years of supporting external customers

  • 10+ years of experience in project management roles.

  • Project Management Professional certification

  • Current holder of Secret Security Clearance or greater clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $241,400.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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