2026 Associate Propulsion Engineer - Elkton MD

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 seeking Propulsion Engineers. This position will be located at our Defense Systems Sector in Elkton, MD.

 

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Systems & Controls Business Unit within the Weapon Systems Division. The candidate will join the Space and Strategic or High-Speed Tactical Boosters team working on solid rocket motors.

 

Specific responsibilities include:

• Performs design of a variety of solid rocket motor assemblies and components (including case, nozzle, propellant grain, etc.)
• Works with customers to understand requirements and design drivers
• Performs high level internal performance and component sizing calculations
• Create drawings for component fabrication
• Supports solid rocket motor builds, tests and data reduction
• Works with inter-disciplinary team to meet program milestones and customer expectations

 

 

This requisition may be filled at either a level 1 or a level 2.

 

Basic qualifications for an Engineer 1 are a Bachelor’s Degree.

Basic qualifications for an Engineer 2 are a Master’s Degree.

 

 

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 by June 2026
• Be majoring in or having majored in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
• Current Active Security Clearance
• Experience or coursework in solid rocket motors
• Experience or coursework in CAD software, NX preferred
• Experience or coursework in Product Lifecycle Management software, Teamcenter preferred
• Experience or coursework in ASME Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Experience or coursework in machine shop fabrication processes
• Experience or coursework in welding refractory metals
• Experience or coursework in design for assembly / design for manufacturing (DFA/DFM)
• Experience or coursework in Microsoft Office Suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc)
• Ability and willingness to travel

 

 

This position falls under a Federal Explosives License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for this location.  Candidates hired into this role will be required to complete and submit an Employee Possessor Questionnaire to ATF for approval to be a possessor.

 

Salary Range:

Level 1: $72,700 - $109,100

Level 2: $87,600 - $131,400

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.