
Northrop Grumman
Falls Church, Virginia, United States of America
10K+ Employees
Aeronautical Engineer OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
United States-California-Redondo Beach, United States of America
Posted on Aug 26, 2026
Job Description
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.Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Aeronautical Engineer OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) to support our R&AD division. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, CA.
This position will conduct preliminary design and analysis of advanced manned and unmanned air vehicles demonstrating technical expertise and knowledge of other related disciplines.
Responsibilities Include:
- Aerodynamic analysis, aerodynamic database generation, and wind tunnel test support for aircraft designs
- Design synthesis and optimization of vehicles to mission requirements
- Conduct aerodynamic analysis and design trade studies to define and evaluate advanced concepts, predict aerodynamic behavior, identify technology requirements, and provide design guidance to the other team disciplines.
- Develop technical solutions to various problems, which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity.
- Interact with and brief external stakeholders
This position can be filled at either the Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) level OR the Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics) level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
- Bachelor of Science in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 2 years of relevant professional engineering experience OR a Master of Science in a related STEM discipline with 0 years of professional engineering experience.
- Experience building aerodynamic databases from test and analysis data
- Experience with aircraft aerodynamic conceptual design and drag build up
- Experience with stability and control vehicle assessments
- Active US Government Secret clearance (or higher)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Aerodynamics)
- Bachelor of Science in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant professional engineering experience; OR a Master of Science in a related STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant professional engineering experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant professional engineering experience.
- Experience building aerodynamic databases from test and analysis data
- Experience with aircraft aerodynamic conceptual design and drag build up
- Experience with stability and control vehicle assessments
- Active US Government Secret clearance (or higher)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Experience with Aircraft System Identification
- Experience with Wind Tunnel Test Planning and Support
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle...
Job overview
Employment type
Full Time
Experience level
Senior
Posted
on Aug 26, 2026
Financials
Type
public
Annual Revenue
$10B+
Market Cap
$84B+
Membership
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