Structural Engineer

United States-Minnesota-PlymouthPosted Aug 6, 2026

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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 currently seeking a Structural Engineer (Level 2) to provide expertise for our Armament Systems Business Unit located in Plymouth, MN.

The development of smart armament systems, designed to increase the competitive advantage of our armed forces, is accelerating. This growth has created a need for an engineer with a passion for technology development and a strong foundation in structural analysis. At Armament Systems, we design, develop, and sustain advanced weapon systems and munitions that must perform reliably in demanding environments across their entire life cycle. Our team integrates mechanical design, modeling and simulation, and test to deliver safe, effective, and affordable products to the warfighter. As a Structural Engineer, you will contribute to this mission by supporting structural and structural/thermal coupled analyses that guide design decisions, improve product robustness, and help ensure our systems meet or exceed customer expectations.

The candidate shall be able to assess the design problem, work with the Subject Matter Expert to formulate an analysis approach and utilize a suite of tools to aid in design development. Any number of solution types such as static structural and other implicit dynamic solution types such as modal, harmonic, spectrum and random vibration may be required to support the entire design life cycle.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with Subject Matter Experts to develop finite element analysis approaches and solutions to structural problems based on a strong understanding of engineering principles.
  • Assist in determining the appropriate analysis type and tools needed to evaluate a variety of numerical modeling problems involving metals, plastics, and composite materials.
  • Develop the structural and coupled thermal/structural models:
  • Geometry preparation and mesh generation
  • Selection and application of boundary conditions and constraints
  • Selection and application of material properties
  • Setup and execution of appropriate simulation codes and solution methodologies
  • Develop simple bench tests to anchor simulation predictions
  • Post-process and assist in the interpretation of analytical results; help identify key sensitivities and support recommendations for design improvements.
  • Document analysis methods, assumptions, and results in clear technical reports and presentations for internal design reviews.
  • Support innovation by applying modern analysis tools and workflows to new smart munition product development.
  • Become an integrated member of the product team by developing an understanding of the overall system function, collaborating closely with Design, Systems, and Test Engineers, and presenting analysis results and design recommendations in an insightful and timely manner.

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in STEM field & 2 years or relevant engineering experience, OR a Masters degree in a STEM field
  • Academic or work experience performing structural analysis using tools such as ANSYS Mechanical and ABAQUS (linear and non-linear implicit, static, explicit, etc)
  • Strong understanding of structural FEA fundamentals (e.g. deformation, stress, strain, modal, shock, and vibration)
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, receive technical direction, and incorporate feedback.
  • U.S. citizen and possess or qualify for a U.S. Government security clearance

Desired:

  • Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline
  • Structural Analysis of electronics and printed circuit card assemblies
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document analyses and present technical results.
  • Coupled analysis experience (thermal/structural, structural/fluid, etc)
  • Active DoD Secret Clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $87,600.00 - $131,400.00

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.

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