2026 Associate Propulsion Engineer/Propulsion Engineer

About the Role

Northrop Grumman is seeking Associate Propulsion Engineers and Propulsion Engineers. This position will be located at our Space sector in Promontory, UT. May also consider candidates in Clearfield, UT; Salt Lake City, UT; or Magna, UT.

The Qualified Candidate Will Become Part Of Northrop Grumman's Propulsion Engineering Team In Support Of One Or More Of The Following Engineering Functions:

• Design and Analysis Engineering
• Material Science Engineering
• Product Development Engineering
• Test and Integration Engineering

Key Responsibilities

As a Propulsion Engineer, you will:

• Assist in the development and analysis of propulsion system components, including rocket motors, nozzles, materials, and propellant grains.
• Perform engineering calculations and simulations to predict propulsion system performance, including CFD, thermal response, and structural integrity.
• Support the design, execution, and documentation of propulsion system tests, including data acquisition and post-test analysis.
• Contribute to technical documentation such as design specifications, 3D CAD models and drawings, test plans, and engineering reports.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and interdisciplinary teams and experts to ensure successful project execution.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action planning for propulsion system issues.
• Participate in design reviews and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineers using the propulsion within the targeted system.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards, best practices, and emerging technologies in propulsion engineering.
• Help implement collaborative engineering processes across multiple engineering disciplines to optimize design performance and achieve required cost and manufacturing rate objectives.
• Work with senior engineers to evaluate manufacturing and product defects against required performance and identify improvement actions.
• Evaluate supply chain items and materials for suitability in designs and production, supporting required levels of quality and performance (often using Statistical Process Control tools).

Requirements & Tech Stack

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Propulsion Engineer:

• Completing or has completed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Major in Mechanical, Chemical, Material Science, or Aerospace Engineering or related STEM field.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).
• Ability to obtain Special Access Program access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Basic Qualifications for a Propulsion Engineer:

• Completing or has completed a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Major in Mechanical, Chemical, Material Science, or Aerospace Engineering or related STEM field.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).
• Ability to obtain Special Access Program access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications for Both Levels:

• Internships or co-op experience in aerospace, defense, or propulsion.
• Hands-on experience with engineering tools such as ANSYS/CFD, MATLAB, Python, and CAD.
• Experience with energetics, rockets, or chemical propulsion in school projects (e.g., rocketry clubs, coursework, or capstone assignments).
• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher.

Salary Range

• Associate Propulsion Engineer: $65,800 to $98,800
• Propulsion Engineer: $79,300 to $118,900

Note: Relocation assistance may be available.