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Posted June 05, 2026
Northrop Grumman

principal/sr principal materials and process engineer - r10235176

Northrop Grumman
El Segundo, CA, US Full Time
$103600 - $155400
Reference: R10235176
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

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.

Job Description

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal/Sr. Principal Materials and Processes Engineer to our team in El Segundo, CA. This position will support our F-35 Center Fuselage, ancillary parts manufacture, and post-delivery support.

The selected candidate will be responsible for supporting manufacturing from a materials perspective and to define, develop, implement, and transition new materials, processes, and technology solutions to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and improve quality.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Support material and process integration, test development, and execute various types of process oversight

  • Create and develop documentation for processes in accordance with provided Engineering and specifications

  • Troubleshooting of material failures to resolve complex issues

  • Interact and coordinate with responsible design, materials, and quality engineers responsible for sustaining manufacturing and sustainment of fielded units and support equipment

  • Serve as an interface between the operations & design organizations

  • Ensure material performance meets specified requirements and develop standard repairs

  • Proactively engage in overall material application on composite structure

  • Perform troubleshooting, document issues, and coordinate dispositions of MRB tags using tools such as Teamcenter, JDL, Fibersim, and Catia

  • Contribute to improvement of processes, design, and future sustainment efforts

  • Actively participate in Program Risk and Opportunity Management

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility.  Once established in role, the position has narrow opportunity for a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion.

This position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

This position can be filled at either the Principal Materials and Processes Engineer level or the Senior Principal Materials and Processes Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Materials and Processes Engineer:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 5 years of relevant engineering experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a related STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant engineering experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant engineering experience.

  • Demonstrated experience with material testing and material qualification

  • Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite

  • Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret clearance

  • Ability to obtain and maintain clearance and Special Program Access (SAP/SAR)

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Materials and Processes Engineer:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of relevant engineering experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a related STEM discipline with 6 years of relevant engineering experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 4 years of relevant engineering experience.

  • Demonstrated experience with material testing and material qualification

  • Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite

  • Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret clearance

  • Ability to obtain and maintain clearance and Special Program Access (SAP/SAR)

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

  • Experience with film adhesives, carbon fiber, BMI, sealing aircraft components, primer and topcoat applications, and metallic structures

  • Experience with Supplier Management

  • Experience with low observable material, coating thickness verification, surface preparation, and material reactivation, fairing compounds, and fastener fillers

  • New material integration and interface with production personnel

  • Government and customer interface experience

  • Root cause investigation and corrective action implementation

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,300.00

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.

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