2027 Associate Signature Management & Survivability Engineer/Signature Management & Survivability Engineer

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.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Signature Management and Survivability Engineers. This position will be located on-site at our Aeronautics Systems sector in Oklahoma City, OK. This position may be filled as either an Associate Signature Management and Survivability Engineer or Signature Management and Survivability Engineer.

The qualified candidate will be essential in enhancing the survivability of defense systems through the application of advanced materials and processes. The candidate will apply principles of chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues and provide solutions within the Survivability discipline. Responsibilities include analyzing, researching, and developing materials and their related application processes that optimize performance in structures, systems, and subsystems. The selected candidate will leverage principles of chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues, ensuring the integration of survivability features into both new designs and existing systems.

Core Competencies:

• Leverage Advanced Technology: Utilize the latest classified technology to minimize the detectability of aircraft across electromagnetic, infrared, visual, and acoustic spectrums.
• Predict and Verify Performance: Use proprietary analysis codes to forecast design performance and validate predictions through physical model testing.
• Optimize Stealth Design: Balance the optimization of stealth properties with requirements from other engineering disciplines and ensure compliance with survivability requirements during the design process.
• Collaborate Effectively: Work collaboratively in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment to achieve customer goals in a fast-paced and diverse work setting.
• Adapt and Innovate: Offer real-time solutions to production issues based on previous aircraft systems and Low Observable (LO) experience.

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Signature Management and Survivability Engineer:

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by August 2027
• Be majoring in or having majored in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or other related STEM degree program
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret and Top Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Special Access Program clearance within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).  
• Final approved U.S. Government Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) is required to start.

Basic Qualifications for a Signature Management and Survivability Engineer:

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their Master’s degree from an accredited institution by August 2027 OR is completing their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 2 years of related engineering experience by August 2027.
• Be majoring in or having majored in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or other related STEM degree program
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret and Top Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Special Access Program clearance within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).  
• Final approved U.S. Government Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) is required to start.

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• Active Secret security clearance or Top Secret security clearance
• Foundational understanding of materials and processes, with strong interest in Low Observable (LO) materials and survivability applications (coursework, projects, or research).
• Basic knowledge of how material properties (mechanical, thermal, environmental, electromagnetic) are measured and evaluated through lab testing and experiments.
• Ability to review and interpret lab data or test results with guidance, and summarize findings in a clear, organized way.
• Exposure to materials selection concepts, including how electromagnetic performance, structural integrity, and durability must be balanced in engineering designs (through coursework or projects).
• Familiarity with common aerospace materials and processes, such as composites, coatings, and adhesives, gained through classes, labs, internships, or hands-on projects.
• Ability to read and understand basic technical drawings and specifications, and willingness to learn more advanced engineering documentation and manufacturing plans.
• Experience working on team-based projects (academic design teams, research, or internships), demonstrating collaboration with peers across different disciplines or specialties.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing technical summaries, lab reports, or presentations for class or project stakeholders.
• Willingness to learn about relevant military standards and specifications, and how survivability and LO requirements flow into materials and process decisions.
• Interest in manufacturing processes such as composite layup, coating application, adhesive bonding, curing, and repair techniques, with a desire to gain hands-on exposure in these areas.
• Coursework or academic projects related to military aircraft, survivability engineering, or low observable (LO) materials.
• Pursuit of an advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) or upper-level undergraduate coursework focused on polymers, composites, or coatings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear technical reports and present findings (e.g., class projects, lab results).
• Exposure to material obsolescence challenges through coursework, lab work, or academic projects (e.g., evaluating or recommending alternative materials).
• Experience collaborating on projects with material suppliers or participating in lab/industry visits, OR interest in working with suppliers and troubleshooting material issues on site.
• Foundational understanding of aircraft survivability concepts, including susceptibility and vulnerability, gained through classes, reading, or projects.
• Experience using modeling and simulation tools in coursework, research, or personal projects (e.g., FEA, EM solvers, or other engineering analysis tools).
• Basic competence in at least one high-level programming language (e.g., Python, C#, MATLAB) demonstrated through class assignments, scripts, or personal projects.
• Exposure to computational electromagnetic analysis tools, such as commercial EM solvers or in-house codes used in academia or industry; familiarity with Northrop Grumman tools is a plus but not required.
• Coursework in applied electromagnetics or related topics, with a basic understanding of electromagnetic energy transmission through space and within materials, and interest or project experience in LO materials (absorbers, specialty coatings, adhesives, composites).
• Hands-on experience in material characterization from labs or projects (e.g., measuring dielectric properties, mechanical testing, environmental durability or aging studies).
• Familiarity with electromagnetic performance testing concepts for LO materials and how performance can be affected by material processing and chemistry, gained through coursework, reading, or project work.

Salary Range:

• Associate Signature Management and Survivability Engineer: $68,600 - $103,000/year
• Signature Management and Survivability Engineer: $82,600 - $123,800/year

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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.