The Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Business Unit is seeking a Senior Principal Design Engineer to join our team. Northrop Grumman MEP Business Unit designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. Our main products include satellites and associated space components and services, launch vehicles and related propulsion systems, missile products, subsystems and defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, and advanced aerospace structures.
This position is located in San Diego, CA. The Design Engineer is responsible for developing and designing composite components, assemblies, and tooling. The Design Engineer will partner with Manufacturing, Test, and other Engineering functions to ensure successful execution and delivery of hardware.
Job Responsibilities:
- Design complex assemblies including high strength & stiffness composite laminates, honeycomb sandwich structures, and metallic interface hardware
- Create, prototype, design, and analyze tools and fixtures for manufacturing and testing of composite parts and assemblies. Tools include layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and test fixtures
- Develop and refine components and subsystems utilizing design skills, hand calculations, CAD modeling software and analytical tools
- Perform detailed 3D designs and generate 2D engineering drawings
- Participate and present in internal and external (customer) design reviews. Includes generation of presentation media for PDR, CDR, and MRR type reviews
- Support manufacturing and test of fixtures and hardware as required
- Aid in the generation of manufacturing and test plans
- Support procurement of flight hardware and tooling
- Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining a focus towards common project goals of the program team, matrix organization, and customers
- Support continuous improvement of departmental tools and procedures
- Ensure designs meet manufacturing and test plans, while maintaining targets for cost and schedule
Basic Qualifications:
- Requires Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering with 9+ years working in a structural design field
- Aerospace experience with product definition and design. Thorough understanding of specifications, SOW's, drawings, ICD compliance
- Experience in design of composite structures or composite-related tooling
- Thorough understanding of aerospace materials and assembly methods (bonding/fastening)
- Ability to perform design of complex, multi-piece tool assemblies to ensure successful execution of manufacturing and test plans
- Extensive experience in CAD and PLM systems is required. Siemens NX and Teamcenter experience is preferred
- Extensive experience in drawing generation, with an advanced understanding of GD&T
- Extensive experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFMA) principles and mistake-proofing techniques
- Has the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
- Ability to clearly and professionally present technical information (both written and verbal)
- Must be a US citizen
Preferred Qualifications:
- Extensive experience with aerospace tooling, including composite layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
- Extensive experience with composite/metallic assemblies including bonded/fastened joints and associated materials, adhesives and fasteners
- Should be a self-starter and possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
- Experience with composite manufacturing processes and applications (layup, machining, bonding & assembly)
- Acts as a leader, and has the ability to mentor and train other engineers
- Ability to receive Top Secret clearance