Lead design, analysis, test, and qualification of liquid and fluid-thermal propulsion systems for missile applications. Provide technical leadership to suppliers, develop and execute test and verification plans, build and maintain performance and thermal models, support flight and ground operations, manage risk and integration, and communicate technical recommendations to management and customers.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 ideal candidate is a team player; but also, a strong independent contributor with strong leadership skills, demonstrated problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills, as well as interpersonal and organizational skills and a proactive, detail-oriented approach.
This position will be located onsite with the Supplier in Elkton, MD.
Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
- Lead system- and component-level analysis, design, and test of complex fluid-thermal propulsion systems for missile applications in the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase.
- Apply advanced engineering principles, industry standards, company standards, and customer requirements to the development of liquid and other propulsion systems, including materials, structural components, and control systems.
- Define, plan, and oversee propulsion test activities (component, subsystem, and system-level), including development of test plans, procedures, and success criteria, and provide on-site test support as needed.
- Provide technical leadership and oversight to propulsion suppliers, including review and approval of analyses, drawings, procedures, and test results, and coordination with Supply Chain and program leadership.
- Develop and maintain propulsion performance, fluid/thermal, and structural models using industry-standard tools (e.g., MATLAB and other analysis software) to support design trades, verification, and risk reduction.
- Lead the development and execution of verification and qualification plans for propulsion systems, including defining verification methods, coordinating test and analysis activities, and generating customer-deliverable verification documentation.
- Direct the research, analysis, and system-level integration of missile propulsion systems, including hardware procurement, configuration management, nonconformance resolution, and interface coordination with adjacent subsystems.
- Support propulsion flight and ground operations, including authoring and reviewing propulsion-related procedures, flight rules, and other engineering instructions for test engineers, operations personnel, and customer use.
- Serve as a primary technical interface and spokesperson for propulsion on the program, providing briefings, technical guidance, and recommendations to management, customers, and multi-disciplinary design teams.
- Identify propulsion-related risks and opportunities, develop and execute mitigation plans, and guide advanced technological concepts from maturation through incorporation into the baseline design.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related STEM discipline with relevant coursework and experience in fluid mechanics, compressible flow, and/or thermodynamics of propulsion systems
- Minimum of 12 years of relevant expereince
- U.S. Citizen
- Active Secret clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
- Experience with industry-standard fluid/thermal and/or mechanical analysis software, design standards, and documentation related to propulsion system or subsystem design
- Proficiency with MATLAB or similar engineering tools for propulsion analysis, data reduction, and modeling; ability to clearly document and present technical results.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active Top Secret clearance
- Direct experience designing and analyzing liquid propulsion or complex fluid systems, including review of analyses, manufacturing drawings, test procedures, and hands-on support of pressure or hot-fire/engine testing.
- Experience leading propulsion or spacecraft/missile liquid propulsion test campaigns, including development and execution of verification and/or qualification plans in a development and qualification environment.
- Experience providing technical leadership for hardware procurement and supplier management (e.g., specification development, technical evaluations, resolving supplier issues, and coordinating with Supply Chain)
- Extensive experience in propulsion system fluid modeling and/or propulsion project engineering, including system integration, requirements flow-down, and coordination across multi-disciplinary teams, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
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