Description

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer to serve as the technical engineering lead for one or more advanced propulsion system programs supporting the next generation of weapons and air vehicles. This role supports the Advanced Propulsion & Systems (AP&S) market area, which is primarily focused on scramjet and ramjet propulsion systems for high‑speed airbreathing applications, along with related testing and technology development. This position will be located at our Palm Beach Gardens, Florida location.

Ideal candidates will have an established history of technical leadership on highly integrated systems and a broad technical grasp across key disciplines such as system‑level vehicle performance, combustor and inlet design and performance, systems engineering and requirements management, risk and opportunity management, manufacturing (traditional and additive), and both system‑ and component‑level testing. You will function as the chief engineer or primary technical authority for airbreathing propulsion on your program, leading a multi‑disciplinary team from early concept trades through flight test and sustainment.

The Northrop Grumman PS&C business unit is based in Elkton, Maryland and began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers. The Palm Beach Gardens location is the Air-breathing propulsion center of excellence specializing in the design, analysis and system integration of ramjets, scramjets and other advanced air-breathing propulsion systems.

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida is located a very short distance from the Atlantic Ocean.  You would be close to many top beaches, fishing, inland eco-tours, shopping, and restaurants.  Palm Beach Gardens also has many top golf choices and is home to The Professional Golfers Association of America and PGA National Resort.

Job Responsibilities

In this leadership role you will be the propulsion technical lead for one or more programs, you will:

• Provide cross-functional technical leadership and direction to engineering teams across multiple disciplines (aerodynamics, combustion, thermal/structures, materials, controls, systems engineering) on active programs and pursuits.
• Own the propulsion technical baseline for airbreathing systems, including requirements, architecture, interfaces, performance, and margins from concept through qualification and sustainment.
• Plan, review, and interpret analysis and modeling (e.g., cycle/performance analyses, CFD/thermal, inlet/nozzle performance) to guide design trades and risk reduction.
• Provide design oversight to ensure propulsion and integrated vehicle requirements are met, including combustor, inlet, nozzle, and associated fluid systems.
• Lead and resolve complex technical issues, providing timely, technically sound and programmatically executable solutions.
• Plan, oversee, and interpret test activities, including component and sub‑system testing, engine testing, wind‑tunnel testing, system‑level testing, and flight testing.
• Provide technical leadership for failure investigations, including root cause and corrective action (RCCA) for propulsion‑related anomalies.
• Serve as the primary propulsion technical interface to the program manager and customer, clearly articulating technical status, risks, and opportunities and their cost/schedule impacts.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with cross‑functional disciplines (program management, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, test) to ensure timely execution of engineering tasks.
• Ensure adherence to sound engineering processes and configuration management in development, test, and sustainment; ensure compliance with company procedures and quality standards.
• Facilitate technical support, review, and approval of engineering documents and drawings, including specifications, analysis reports, test plans/reports, and change packages.
• Lead propulsion risk and opportunity management, identifying, owning, and managing risks associated with system performance and defining/implementing mitigation plans.
• Determine engineering tasks and resource needs required for project planning and execution, and support proposal and capture activities, including technical volumes and basis‑of‑estimate (BOE) development.
• Mentor and coach lower‑level engineers on technical activities, processes, and best practices in airbreathing propulsion and systems engineering.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a STEM‑related discipline with at least 12 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree in engineering with at least 10 years of experience, or PhD in engineering with at least 8 years of experience.
• Demonstrated technical leadership (technical lead, IPT lead, deputy chief engineer, or equivalent) on complex aerospace or weapon system programs.
• Experience with aerospace propulsion systems, with strong emphasis on high‑speed airbreathing applications or closely related systems.
• Experience leading the design, integration, and/or production of complex systems or subsystems, including coordination across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Proven ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information, balancing technical performance risk, cost, and schedule.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at multiple levels within the program, organization, and with customers.
• Prior experience guiding and mentoring junior or mid‑level engineers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship as a pre‑requisite.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10-25% as program needs dictate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in airbreathing propulsion for missiles or high‑speed air vehicles (e.g., ramjet, scramjet, dual‑mode ramjet, or related high‑Mach propulsion systems).
• Experience as a chief engineer or principal technical authority for a subsystem or program.
• Experience in ramjet and scramjet airbreathing propulsion systems, including design, analysis, and/or test of inlets, combustors, and nozzles for high‑Mach applications.
• Familiarity with relevant propulsion tools and methods (e.g., cycle/performance modeling, CFD, thermal‑structural coupling, high‑temperature materials and cooling strategies).
• Experience with mechanical design of propulsion components or fluid systems (valves, manifolds, ducts, thermal management hardware).
• Experience with manufacturing techniques, including traditional machining and additive manufacturing, and an understanding of design for assembly / design for manufacturing (DFA/DFM).
• Background in secondary propulsion technologies (e.g., solid rocket motors, ducted rockets, or hybrid solutions) supporting boost, transition, or multi‑mode concepts.
• Current active Secret (or higher) security clearance.