Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, Propulsion System & Controls (PS&C) Business Unit is currently seeking an experienced Staff Propulsion Engineer (Level 5) to support our Ramjet and Scramjet Propulsion Systems Development efforts within our Advanced Propulsion and Systems (AP&S) Market Segment.  The PS&C business unit is based in Elkton, Maryland and began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948.

This position has strong preference to be located at the Ronkonkoma, New York location.  This position can reside in our Elkton, Maryland or Palm Beach Gardens, Florida locations for the right candidate.

Job Summary:

This position will report directly to the AP&S engineering manager, and will be responsible for the technical strategy, planning and execution of our large-scale ramjet and scramjet development programs.  The AP&S Market Segment focuses on the design, development, validation and transition to production of emerging propulsion systems.  The customer base primarily consists of DoD and NASA.

Job Responsibilities:    

• Lead efforts to support large-scale scramjet development programs and internal research and development activities.
• Support propulsion and subsystem IPT leads to ensure technical and cost execution of each system component.
• Work with IPTs to establish product build requirements (i.e. engineering, planning and inspection documents, schedule)
• Work with the program systems engineering lead to identify propulsion system risks and mitigation activity.
• Form close working relationships with the customer technical community and specific customer technical points of contact on each program.
• Serve as final design authority for the propulsion system and provide MRB disposition recommendation(s) as needed.
• Document and present design, manufacturing and testing status as needed.
• Work closely with manufacturers to ensure that design intent is met in manufacturing of parts.
• Support new business capture strategies and prepare proposal material.
• Generate engineering schedules and cost estimates for proposals/ projects.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance, which requires US Citizenship as a pre-requisite
• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM, with Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering strongly preferred, plus at least 12 years of experience; or Master’s Degree in STEM, with Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering strongly preferred, plus at least 10 years of experience
• General knowledge of air breathing propulsion systems
• Ability to lead teams of engineers (both internally and at key suppliers) in product development projects for complex aerospace or defense systems.
• Ability to develop and lead teams of engineers for complex development programs
• Ability and experience with presenting complex technical concepts to audiences with a broad range of technical experience
• Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Power Point, Word, and Excel
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, writing, presentation and critical thinking skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel to meet with various customers, in both government and industry, and to interface with suppliers.
• Knowledge of general machine shop fabrication processes
• Knowledge of Design for Assembly / Design for Manufacturing (DFA/DFM).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current Active Security Clearance
• Additive manufacturing experience
• General knowledge of solid propellant rocket motor propulsion systems
• Understanding of lean manufacturing processes and their implementation
• Experience in the design, fabrication and assembly of special test equipment associated with scramjet/ramjet test articles
• Experience in the design and integration of scramjet/ramjet test articles in a dynamic test environment
• Ability to validate mechanical designs with classical calculations and/or finite element analysis (FEA)