Principal Application Engineer Jobs in Oklahoma (NOW HIRING)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Northrop Grumman is looking to hire a Principal/Senior Principal Engineer – Survivability. This position will sit on-site in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Survivability Engineer 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.

• Analyze, research, and develop materials and their related application processes that optimize performance in structures, systems, and subsystems.
• 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.
• Utilize the latest classified technology to minimize the detectability of aircraft across electromagnetic, infrared, visual, and acoustic spectrums.
• Use proprietary analysis codes to forecast design performance and validate predictions through physical model testing.
• Balance the optimization of stealth properties with requirements from other engineering disciplines and ensure compliance with survivability requirements during the design process.
• Collaborate in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment to achieve customer goals in a fast-paced and diverse work setting.
• Offer real-time solutions to production issues based on previous aircraft systems and Low Observable (LO) experience.

• Principal Survivability Engineer – Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.
• Senior Principal Survivability Engineer – Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in STEM with 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in STEM with 4 years of related engineering experience.
• Significant experience in Low Observable Materials and Processes (LO M&P), specifically in applying, evaluating, and optimizing materials for survivability applications.
• Comprehension of materials selection for electromagnetic performance and understanding the balance with structural integrity.
• Proficiency in materials testing methods (mechanical, thermal, environmental, EM properties) and interpreting lab results.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze materials issues, conduct root‑cause analysis of failures, and provide effective solutions for material performance in aerospace applications.
• Skilled in creating process specifications, test plans, technical reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Experience reading and reviewing technical drawings, specifications and manufacturing plans.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects requiring cross‑collaboration with other disciplines.
• Comfortable working with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to ensure material/process compliance.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes: composite layup, coating application, adhesives bonding, curing, and repair techniques.
• A current active U.S. Government in‑scope Secret Security Clearance or higher is required to start, with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP/SAR clearance. Ability to obtain and maintain the final adjudicated DoD Top Secret clearance and any program access(es) required for the position.

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance or higher preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects requiring cross-collaboration with other disciplines.
• Comfortable working with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to ensure material/process compliance.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes: composite layup, coating application, adhesives bonding, curing, and repair techniques.
• Knowledge of fabrication and application processes for specialty materials, including coatings, adhesives, and composite structures used in aircraft.
• Familiarity with military specifications and standards, as well as experience interfacing with military customers related to survivability requirements.
• Experience working on military aircraft, specifically in the context of survivability engineering and LO materials.
• Advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) preferred, particularly with a focus on polymers, composites, or coatings.
• Excellent communication skills for preparing and presenting detailed technical reports and findings.
• Experience with material obsolescence issues, including qualifying and selecting replacement materials.
• Experience working with material suppliers and troubleshooting issues on site.
• Understanding of Aircraft Survivability to include susceptibility and vulnerability.
• Experience in modelling and simulation.
• Preferred competence in a high-level coding language. For example, Python, C#, MATLAB, etc.
• Experience with Northrop Grumman proprietary computational electromagnetic analysis codes or similar computational electromagnetic analysis codes used by industry.
• Knowledge of Applied Electromagnetics / Aircraft Survivability, and a comprehensive understanding of electromagnetic energy transmission through space and within materials. Demonstrated expertise in low observable materials, including absorbers, specialty coatings, adhesives, or composites.
• Hands‑on experience with material characterization methods (e.g., dielectric properties, mechanical testing, environmental durability).
• Knowledge of electromagnetic performance testing for LO materials and correlation with processing/chemistry.

• This position involves collaborative work with cross-disciplinary engineering teams and may require travel for site visits, testing, or customer engagements.

Primary Level Salary Range: $102,600.00 – $153,800.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $127,900.00 – $191,900.00

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.

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. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.