Principal​/Senior Principal Engineer - Survivability; Oklahoma

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman is looking to hire a Principal/Senior Principal Engineer – Survivability based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The role enhances the survivability of defense systems through advanced materials and processes.

Analyze, research, and develop materials and application processes that optimize performance in structures, systems, and subsystems. Leverage chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues, ensuring integration of survivability features into new designs and existing systems.

• Utilize the latest classified technology to minimize detectability across electromagnetic, infrared, visual, and acoustic spectra.
• Use proprietary analysis codes to forecast design performance and validate predictions through physical model testing.
• Balance stealth properties with requirements from other engineering disciplines while ensuring compliance with survivability requirements.
• Collaborate in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment to achieve customer goals.
• Offer real‑time solutions to production issues based on prior aircraft systems and Low Observable (LO) experience.

• Principal Survivability Engineer – Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR Master’s degree and 3 years; OR PhD and 1 year.
• Senior Principal Survivability Engineer – Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience; OR Master’s degree and 6 years; OR PhD and 4 years.
• Significant experience in Low Observable Materials and Processes (LO M&P) and optimizing materials for survivability applications.
• Comprehension of materials selection for electromagnetic performance and structural integrity balance.
• Proficiency in materials testing methods (mechanical, thermal, environmental, EM properties) and interpreting lab results.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze materials issues, conduct root cause analysis of failures, and provide effective solutions for aerospace applications.
• Skilled in creating process specifications, test plans, technical reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Experience reading and reviewing technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing plans.
• Demonstrated experience working on cross‑disciplinary projects.
• Comfortable working with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to ensure material/process compliance.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes: composite layup, coating application, adhesive bonding, curing, and repair techniques.
• A current active U.S. Government in-scope Secret Security Clearance or higher is required to start, with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP/SAR clearance and final Top Secret clearance.

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance or higher.
• Familiarity with military specifications and standards, and experience interfacing with military customers regarding survivability requirements.
• Experience working on military aircraft with survivability engineering and LO materials.
• Advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) preferred, especially in polymers, composites, or coatings.
• Excellent communication skills for preparing and presenting detailed technical reports and findings.
• Experience with material obsolescence issues, selecting replacement materials, and working with material suppliers.
• Understanding of Aircraft Survivability including susceptibility and vulnerability.
• Experience in modeling and simulation.
• Proficiency in a high‑level coding language such as Python, C#, MATLAB, or similar.
• Experience with Northrop Grumman proprietary computational electromagnetic analysis codes or similar industry codes.
• Knowledge of Applied Electromagnetics / Aircraft Survivability and electromagnetic energy transmission.
• Demonstrated expertise in low‑observable materials (absorbers, specialty coatings, adhesives, composites).
• Hands‑on experience with material characterization methods (dielectric properties, mechanical testing, environmental durability).
• Knowledge of electromagnetic performance testing for LO materials and correlation with processing/chemistry.

Collaboration with cross‑disciplinary engineering teams; may require…