Principal and Sr. Principal Survivability Engineer; Level 3

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance required for start:
Yes. Clearance type:
Secret. Ability to obtain and maintain SAP/SAR clearance and final adjudicated DoD Top Secret clearance required.

At Northrop Grumman, our employees work on revolutionary systems that impact people’s lives worldwide. The Survivability Engineer will enhance survivability of defense systems through advanced materials and processes, applying principles of chemistry, physics, and material science.

• Analyze, research, and develop materials and application processes that optimize performance in structures, systems, and subsystems.

• Investigate material issues and ensure integration of survivability features into new designs and existing systems.

• Leverage advanced classified technology to minimize detectability across electromagnetic, infrared, visual, and acoustic spectrums.
• Predict and verify performance using proprietary analysis codes and physical model testing.
• Optimize stealth design while meeting survivability requirements.
• Collaborate in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) to achieve customer goals.
• Provide real‑time solutions to production issues based on low‑observable experience.

• Principal Survivability Engineer:
  Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related professional/military engineering experience.
• Sr. Principal Survivability Engineer:
  Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related professional/military engineering experience.
• Current active U.S. Government in‑scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher required.
• Experience in Low Observable Materials and Processes (LO M&P), material selection for electromagnetic performance, and materials testing methods.
• Ability to analyze material issues, conduct root‑cause analysis, and provide solutions.
• Skilled in creating process specifications, test plans, technical reports, and presenting findings.
• Experience reading and reviewing technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing plans.
• Cross‑disciplinary collaboration with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes: composite lay‑up, coating application, adhesive bonding, curing, and repair techniques.

• Advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) in polymers, composites, or coatings.
• Excellent communication skills for preparing and presenting technical reports.
• Experience with material obsolescence, supplier liaison, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of aircraft survivability including susceptibility and vulnerability.
• Experience with modeling and simulation and high‑level coding languages such as Python, C#, MATLAB.
• Experience with Northrop Grumman proprietary computational electromagnetic analysis codes.
• Expertise in low‑observable materials, coatings, adhesives, or composites and associated processing.
• Hands‑on experience with dielectric property testing, mechanical testing, environmental durability.
• Knowledge of electromagnetic performance testing for LO materials and correlation with processing/chemistry.

This position involves collaboration with cross‑disciplinary engineering teams and may require travel for site visits, testing, or customer engagements.

Primary Level: $93,300.00 - $
Secondary Level: $ - $

Health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. Eligible employees may also receive overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and long‑term incentives based on position level.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our decision policy disregards race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For a full EEO and pay transparency statement, visit