Principal Engineer Survivability - Low Observable (Whiteman AFB)
Northrop Grumman· Defense· Oct 14, 2026 · 14d ago
United States-Missouri-Whiteman AFB
In office
Full-time
Principal
$141K–$216K est.
5+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Engineer Survivability - Low Observable to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.
This position provides on-site low observable technical expertise. This role will also serve as a liaison to the government engineering authority at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and supporting Northrop Grumman engineering organizations.
Candidate must be willing to accompany our customer on CONUS and OCONUS Deployment Assignments of varying duration up to 25%
Duties and responsibilities include :
• Integrate into a high tempo military operational environment
• Identify technical issues and recommend solutions to support repair disposition process and technical data updates through research of Air Force technical data, prior engineering support requests.
• Document maintenance activities, collate data to identify emerging failure trends and provide recommendations to reduce aircraft down time, improve maintenance practices and advise on low observable (LO) and structures system maintenance tasks
• Have knowledge and background in the field of Radio Frequency (RF) diagnostic and verification techniques for maintaining LO aircraft
• Contribute to technical and logistics support activities and provide periodic status to customers and program management team
• Assist customer with resolving complex aircraft maintenance discrepancies / anomalies. Apply comprehensive technical expertise to solve complex problems
• Provide expertise in the operation of aircraft ground support equipment and tools used to perform aircraft maintenance tasks
• Develop expertise in structures and aircraft systems to provide support to the customer across multiple engineering disciplines
• Ensure that support and maintenance operations are performed in accordance with policies and procedures set forth by governing regulatory documents to include tool control, quality, safety, aircraft maintenance documentation, etc.
• Support program technical interchange meetings and program plans development relating to problem analysis, aircraft upgrades, engineering dispositions, and relevant Northrop Grumman technical studies and support
• Engage with aircraft maintainers at all levels on a regular basis to resolve maintenance issues that would otherwise lead to aircraft downtime
• Perform analysis on LO data to identify component and system performance trends, identify component defects, and contribute to root cause analysis
• Participate in various process teams and ad hoc groups to develop or update technical data, repair timelines, etc.
Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in science with 5 years of low observables, aircraft survivability experience, aircraft maintenance, Military experience and other related experience; OR Master’s degree with 3 years of low observables, aircraft survivability experience, aircraft maintenance, Military experience and other related experience; OR a PhD with 1 years of low observables, aircraft survivability experience, aircraft maintenance, Military experience and other related experience
• Demonstrated experience in low observable (LO) materials and processes, including application, evaluation, and inspection of materials used in survivability and signature‑control applications.
• Strong understanding of material properties and behavior as they relate to electromagnetic performance and signature management.
• Strong understanding of aircraft hourly post‑operation (HPO) inspections and assessments related to aircraft survivability, including identification, documentation, and disposition of LO and survivability‑related discrepancies.
• Working knowledge of applicable military specifications, standards, and test requirements, with experience interfacing with military customers on survivability, low observables, and related compliance topics.
• Solid understanding of aircraft survivability principles, including susceptibility, vulnerability, and the integration of LO features into air vehicle designs and operations.
• Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret SCI Security Clearance and ability to obtain a Special Access Program clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
• Expertise in low observables related technical data (Air Force T.O.s, Northrop Grumman engineering and process specifications, etc.)
• Expertise in low observable materials
Primary Level Salary Range: $77,000.00 - $115,600.00
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.
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Benefits
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Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off