Staff Propulsion Engineer - Elkton Md

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Elkton, MD +1 · Mechanical

Staff Propulsion Engineer with 12+ years of experience in STEM, focusing on the design and development of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) for launch vehicles, missile systems, and space missions. Responsibilities include leading technical analyses, design of SRM materials and components, overseeing testing, mentoring junior engineers, and supporting business development. Requires a Bachelor's degree in STEM and experience with cross-functional teams and mentoring.

What you'd actually do

  1. Perform architecture‑level trade studies and lead technical analyses, risk/opportunity assessments, and strategic objective support
  2. Perform design and high‑level analysis of SRM materials (including energetics), structural components, and control systems for propulsion applications
  3. Apply engineering principles, industry and company standards, and customer requirements to develop propulsion hardware such as valves, solid rocket motors, and thrusters for launch vehicles, missile systems, and space missions
  4. Lead multidisciplinary design, optimization, and analysis strategies to meet mission requirements. Take ownership of the product development process and delegate work.
  5. Define, plan, and oversee testing activities required to validate designs, including solid rocket motor tests at the Elkton campus or external ranges

Skills

Required

  • Bachelors degree in STEM
  • 12 years of experience (or Masters with 10, PhD with 8)
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams in the design and development of new products
  • Experience mentoring early career and/or entry level employees

Nice to have

  • Rocketry
  • Solid Rocket Motors
  • Aerospace Propulsion Systems
  • Missiles
  • Flight Vehicles
  • Energetics
  • Siemens NX and Teamcenter
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Multi-disciplinary Teamwork
  • Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
  • ASME Y14.5-2009
  • Design for Assembly / Manufacturing (DFA/DFM)
  • Engineering Design Principles
  • Microsoft Office Suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
  • Active DoD Secret Clearance

What the JD emphasized

  • Must have a bachelors degree in STEM and at least 12 years of experience. Will consider those with a Masters degree and 10 years of experience or a PhD and 8 year of experience.