2026 Associate Structural Engineer - Chandler AZ

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: No

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 a space pioneer, supporting government, civil and commercial customers in solving their biggest challenges. Our forward-leaning, innovative spirit is backed by a legacy of expertise that began at the dawn of the space age. Our mission experience in space runs deep, we know our customers well, and our capabilities are unmatched. This is what allows us to provide reliable, agile and affordable space solutions to best serve our customers.

From defending freedom to advancing human discovery, we are defining what is possible in space every day.

Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies?  If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!

Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Associate Structural Engineers. This position will be located at our Space sector in Chandler, AZ.  

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Vehicle & Mechanical Engineering team.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Under minimal direction, perform a variety of structural engineering tasks to support design, analysis, and test of missile and launch vehicle systems
• Generate safety factors for stress, stiffness, buckling, bolted joints, fracture, and other relatable structural failure modes.
• Work in team environment and address issues using skills obtained in the field of engineering related to structural integrity sciences
• The use of finite element software (FEA) in structural analysis
• Interpret, select, and apply specifications and customer requirements to accomplish specific goals.
• Produce engineering documentation and technical reports
• Determine appropriate test levels and instrumentation to support the qualification and acceptance of flight structures

Basic Qualifications:

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

• Be completing or has completed their degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) from an accredited institution
• Be majoring in or having majored in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related STEM field
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs

• Foundational knowledge of structural analysis, demonstrated through coursework, academic projects, or work experience
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications
• Computer skills with standard word processing/spreadsheet experience.
• Ability to listen effectively, take direction, and possess initiative to accomplish assigned tasks and complete work in a timely fashion

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• Coursework or working experience in Finite Element Analysis in field of structural analysis is considered a plus
• Experience working with high performance flight structures
• FEMAP, NX NASTRAN finite element analysis software
• ANSYS, ABAQUS, and other software package experience also considered
• Research and experience working with high temperatures, and effects in structural mechanics
• Thermal loading, advanced high temperature materials, structural responses, and development testing
• Working knowledge of CMC material systems
• Scripting and AI use in fields of engineering and data sciences
• Active DoD Secret security clearance, or higher at the time of application
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Salary Range: 

$65,000 to $98,800 

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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.