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.

Adaptive Optics Xinetics (AOX), a wholly owned Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Payload and Ground Systems Division Business Venture, is a leading supplier of complex electro-optic and photonic systems and subsystems that control and manipulate light waves for a variety of applications. We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to support our Special Programs team in East Hartford, CT.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Special Programs Mechanical Engineering Manager, the Principal Mechanical Engineer will perform design and analysis for opto-mechanical systems, tooling, and test equipment, leading engineering design efforts of complex electro-optical and opto-mechanical systems, designing hardware that satisfies system requirements, documenting design approaches, detailing parts, and assembly drawings to support the development, manufacture, and test of optical systems. Additional expectations include support to new business opportunities and active leadership and development of junior engineers, designers and technicians.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Perform mechanical design on multiple projects through all phases of development and manufacturing

• Create part and assembly models, detailed drawings and associated parts lists, in accordance with AMSE Y14.5, ASME Y14.100 and AOX drawing standards

• Conduct peer reviews of other engineer’s work products

• Execute new designs with a focus on DFM

• Perform analysis of mechanisms, detailed geometric tolerances, and manufacturability

• Support transition to production and manufacturing engineering

• Provide technical solutions to complex problems which require regular use of technical acumen, ingenuity and creativity

• Perform trade studies, design of experiments, assembly and testing of parts, components, and assemblies

• Estimate and track mechanical design costs, create schedule estimates, and make presentations to customers and company management

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

• 5 or more years of mechanical design, development, analysis and FEA experience working in a collaborative, highly technical multi-disciplined engineering work environment

• Analytical problem solver with technical lead abilities; results and deadline driven; excellent oral and written communication skills including presentation skills; technical influencer

• Proficient MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint software

• Intermediate-Advanced SolidWorks (or equivalent) software skills

• Active Top Secret Clearance

• US Citizenship is a bona fide requirement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree plus 5 years mechanical design experience

• Experience working with micro or small precision form factor mechanisms; opto-mechanical designs; optical assembly, interferometer and alignment, test equipment and tools

Working Environment & Physical Demands:

• Travel to customer site as required (10%)

• Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of times and light physical effort as required

Salary Range: $92,200 USD - $138,400 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.