Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear)

Northrop Grumman

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San Diego, California

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PERMANENT

Updated 09/17/2026

Job Description

Job Summary

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START

Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE

SecretTRAVEL:

Yes, 25 of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact peoples 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 nations 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, theyre 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 is looking to add a Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear) to our team in El Segundo, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA.

The selected candidate will be responsible for development, design, and integration of landing gear on an advanced aircraft.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identify existing and/or conceptual landing gear systems to meet requirements, creating 3D models and layouts, and performing trade studies to analyze the impact of integrating proposed mechanisms systems onto aircraft, as well as identify main driver variables that most significantly impact top level program requirements.
• Support advanced aircraft design efforts with landing gear system design, hardware selection, placement, preliminary sizing, and initial integration into different aircraft configurations. Secondary role is to provide mechanisms design support to other aircraft sub-systems, such as drive systems and door uplocks for in-flight door operation.
• Develop landing gear system requirements and create the associated system specifications, supplier procurement specifications, and supplier SOWs. This will include, but is not limited to, creating functional architecture and activity diagrams, in collaboration with other sub-system engineering disciplines to understand power, cooling, signal, and structural interfaces for the landing gear system.
• Support the supplier management team by being the primary technical interface between NGAS and landing gear supplier subject matter experts.
• Participate in internal program, customer, and supplier technical exchange meetings and formal program milestone reviews to provide and/or obtain progress status updates.

Provide technical guidance to, and coordinate with, multiple engineering design teams, including the aircraft configuration team, the structures team, sub-systems team, and supplier management teams supporting the conceptual, preliminary, and detail design and development of the aircraft.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote/telework option for this role.

This position requires the ability to travel up to 25 of the time.

This position can be filled at either the Principal Aeronautical Engineer OR Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for

Principal Aeronautical Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master's Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related experience.

Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design

Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications

Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.

Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Basic Qualifications for

Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of related experience; OR a Master's Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 6 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 4 years of related experience.

Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design

Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications

Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.

Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

Master's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline

Expert knowledge of landing gear design including:

Landing gear placement (both deployed and retracted positions)

Landing gear loads and preliminary sizing

Shock struts

Wheel and tire selection

Braking systems

Retraction and locking systems

Landing gear door sequencing mechanisms

Experience with Siemens NX CAD application, including NX Motion module

Familiarity with development of landing gear doors, door actuation and door locks, as well as the development of in-flight door opening mechanisms

Prior experience leading a team of engineers

Prior experience in coordinating with multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) within a dynamic program environment

Experience with suppliers and supplier coordination

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Primary Level Salary Range:

$114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range:

$142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidates experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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