1

Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 21-40

Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance information

See salary details

$45.5K

$102.9K

$166.5K

How much do mechanical engineer secret clearance jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical engineer secret clearance in the United States is $102,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $126,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mechanical engineer with secret clearance?

A Mechanical Engineer with Secret Clearance is a professional who designs, develops, and tests mechanical systems while holding a U.S. government security clearance at the 'Secret' level. This clearance allows them to work on sensitive or classified projects, often for defense contractors or federal agencies. Their work may involve developing equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure that requires safeguarding national security information. Obtaining Secret Clearance involves a thorough background check and adherence to strict security protocols. These engineers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of critical government and military projects.

How does having a secret clearance impact the daily responsibilities and collaboration for a mechanical engineer?

Holding a Secret Clearance as a Mechanical Engineer often means working on sensitive government or defense projects, which can require additional security protocols in your daily workflow. You may need to handle classified information securely, attend briefings, and follow strict communication guidelines. Collaboration typically involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, including other cleared professionals, to ensure project goals are met while maintaining confidentiality. The clearance can also open up specialized projects and career advancement opportunities within the defense sector.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mechanical engineer with secret clearance?

To thrive as a Mechanical Engineer with Secret Clearance, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (or related field), and an active Secret security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), FEA tools, and industry-standard documentation systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative, high-stakes environments. These skills and qualifications are critical to ensuring the safe, compliant, and innovative design of systems and components within sensitive government or defense projects.

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance vs Mechanical Engineer Top Secret Clearance?

AspectMechanical Engineer Secret ClearanceMechanical Engineer Top Secret Clearance
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, security clearanceEngineering degree, higher-level security clearance
Work EnvironmentGovernment projects, defense contractorsNational security, classified projects
Employer & Industry UsageDefense agencies, contractorsIntelligence agencies, military contractors
Clearance LevelSecretTop Secret

The main difference between a Mechanical Engineer with a Secret Clearance and one with a Top Secret Clearance lies in the level of security clearance required. Top Secret clearance involves more rigorous background checks and access to more sensitive information. Both roles typically involve working on defense or government projects, but Top Secret roles often require higher trust levels and access to more classified data.

More about Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance jobs

What cities are hiring for Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance jobs?

Cities with the most Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance job openings:

What states have the most Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance jobs?

States with the most job openings for Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance jobs include:

Infographic showing various Mechanical Engineer Secret Clearance job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,878 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Engineer/Principal Mechanical Engineer (Secret Clearance ) - 18289

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Huntsville, AL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 543 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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.
***This position is contingent upon contract award***
The ideal candidate is a team player; but also, a strong independent contributor with strong leadership skills, demonstrated problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills, as well as interpersonal and organizational skills and a proactive, detail-oriented approach.
Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
• Provide technical contributions for conceptual and preliminary design and technology maturation of new advanced concepts for future deterrence needs in the areas of cruise missiles and support systems/subsystems.
• Develop design concepts for launcher capsule and provide technical oversight for avionics and airframe design, with an emphasis on minimizing impacts to Navy operations and re-use of existing launch systems.
• Contribute to trade studies, architecture development, and system engineering, including producibility and affordability design influence, to produce credible conceptual and preliminary weapon system designs that meet potential customers' performance, cost, schedule, and risk thresholds while informing them of the surrounding design space for capability considerations, especially capability versus life cycle and cost versus technical availability date.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ethics and integrity, and the capability to innovate while challenging traditional ways of doing business
• Operate in an advanced design environment and collaborate across Suppliers as required to accomplish the team goals
• Transition innovative solutions, technologies, and advanced concepts for US strategic deterrence interests to programs of record for product development and fielding.
• Evaluate mechanical systems, products, components, and applications by reviewing designs.
• Ensure product quality by reviewing mechanical designs and validating that current standards are applied.
• Support the delivery of Mechanical Systems design Technical Data Packages, interface models, and additional design artifacts
• Support structured trade studies to evaluate alternative design solutions to resolve technical issues
• Develop and present design change requests, coordinating with impacted internal and external stakeholders, ensuring configuration control of the technical baseline.
• Identify risks and opportunities associated with or driven by design factors and executing handling/mitigation/capture actions to reduce risk or realize opportunities.
• Develop and mature Mechanical System designs that meet Weapon System requirements, UFC, MIL-STD, and other applicable codes and regulations.
This position may be filled as an Engineer (level 2) or Principal Engineer (level 3) depending on years of expereince and qualfications.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field
  • Minimum of 2 years (level 2) or 5 years (level 3) of relevant experience
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Active Secret clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Demonstrated expertise in electrical design/analysis, MBSE, and specification ownership; proficient with Siemens NX (or equivalent) and other electrical CAD tools

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active Top Secret Clearance
  • Experience leading engineering teams, managing high-value technical projects, and delivering comprehensive Earned Value reporting.
  • Prior experience on ICBM weapon-system or other high-performance aerospace programs.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills with a track record of high-value customer presentations and multitasking across competing priorities.
  • Broad knowledge of related engineering disciplines (e.g., safety, nuclear surety, material science, logistics, cyber) and experience managing subcontractors and statement-of-work execution.
  • Experience applying Agile processes and continuous-process-improvement techniques to complex, cross-disciplinary projects.
  • Proficient with 3D design/2D drawing CAD in NX
  • Proficient with PDM and/or CPLM
  • Proficient with GD&T and ASME Y14.5-2009

Primary Level Salary Range: $79,600.00 - $119,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00
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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Northrop Grumman logo

About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939