Principal/Senior Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer
Northrop Grumman· Defense· Oct 21, 2026 · 7d ago
Baltimore, MD
In office
Full-time
Principal
$136K–$204K
5+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time 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.
At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we’ll support you by expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal/Senior Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer based out of Linthicum, MD.
This position may be filled as a Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer or a Senior Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer.
What You’ll Get to Do:
The thermal design team supports programs across the sector, including the airborne, ground mobile, ground stationery, and surface based naval applications, and across a variety of length scales ranging from ECS systems, sensor and radar systems, chassis, CCAs, and device levels.
Design advanced electronics thermal management solutions using heat transfer principles to optimize thermal performance
Perform electronics thermal analysis, requiring experience in heat transfer, including liquid cooled, air-cooled, two-phase flow, and refrigeration thermal solutions for Mission Systems platforms such as airborne, ground based, and naval applications
Lead thermal designs by owning thermal requirements, thermal architecture, and thermal performance of the design, while mentoring less experienced thermal engineers
Provide oral and written presentations to internal and external customers and stakeholders
This position is contingent upon the ability to obtain an active US Government Secret Clearance or the successful transfer of an active US Government Secret Clearance prior to start.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer:
Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of experience, master’s degree with 3 years of experience, Ph.D. with 1 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance.
Ability to work onsite daily at the Linthicum, MD (Baltimore area) facility.
5 years of experience in electronics design with emphasis on thermal analysis and optimization of mission‑critical electronics systems (e.g., airborne, ground, or maritime platforms).
5 years of experience applying thermal engineering principles to challenging air cooled, liquid cooled, and conduction cooled hardware in high power density environments.
Basic Qualifications for a Senior Principal Thermal Analysis Engineer:
Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years of experience, master’s degree with 6 years of experience, Ph.D. with 4 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields.
U.S Citizenship is required.
The ability to obtain/maintain a US Government Secret clearance.
The ability to work onsite daily at the Linthicum, MD/Baltimore facility.
8 years of experience in electronics design with a primary focus on thermal architecture, analysis, and optimization for defense or other safety/mission‑critical systems.
8 years of experience applying thermal engineering principles to challenging air‑cooled, liquid‑cooled, and conduction‑cooled hardware in high‑power‑density environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
Active DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance.
Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics .
Hands‑on experience (2 years) with one or more of the following tools: ANSYS Icepak, ANSYS Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Fluent , or similar electronics cooling / thermal analysis codes.
2 years leading the end‑to‑end thermal design of hardware for defense platforms (airborne, ground mobile, ground stationary, or naval), from requirements definition through verification.
Proven experience advising programs on system‑level thermal trades and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams (systems, mechanical, RF, electrical, reliability) from concept through detailed design.
2 years of experience designing hardware to meet transient thermal conditions
Experience advancing next‑generation electronics thermal management solutions (e.g., high heat‑flux interfaces, two‑phase or advanced convective cooling, compact high‑power electronics).
Knowledge of advanced convective and two‑phase thermal management for high heat‑flux / high power‑density applications, including analytical, high‑fidelity numerical, and experimental methods.
Prior experience leading thermal design at multiple levels of integration (system, chassis, CCA, and microelectronics) for defense or aerospace hardware.
Experience planning and executing thermal design verification testing , including correlation of analysis to test data and updating models based on results.
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.
Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.
Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00
The 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 candidate's 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 northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Application prep
Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.
- Platform
- workday
- Effort
- long
Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off