Propulsion Engineer

About the Role

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Propulsion Engineer – Level 1 to join collaborative teams at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL. This role is critical for missions of paramount importance and is intended for engineers on the Artemis Space Launch System Booster Integration Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct on floor design support, analysis, test, and integration of solid rocket motor hardware (nozzles, cases, propellant, integration hardware, bonded structures, and metal components).
• Provide accurate, on-time 3D models, engineering drawings, and specifications for rocket motor components.
• Participate in trade studies and facilitate design changes balancing technical performance, cost, and schedule.
• Develop engineering documentation including drawings, specifications, design/analysis reports, test plans, and test reports.
• Perform structural analysis (closed-form and finite element) and evaluate test data.
• Plan and support development, qualification, and production testing of flight hardware and test articles.
• Provide production and floor support, including problem solving, anomaly resolution, and disposition of non-conformances.
• Interact with multi-discipline development teams (Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, Thermal, Structural, Materials, and Test).
• Develop and present technical content for design reviews and briefings.
• Maintain standard design and analysis processes and improve methods and tools using test data and advanced analysis techniques.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Ability to pass a background check for the Federal Safe Explosives Act (SEA).
• Strong understanding of solid mechanics and classical mechanics principles.
• Basic knowledge of or strong interest in solid rocket motors and their structural/propellant makeup.
• Experience or strong aptitude with 3D CAD modeling and mechanical drawings (preferably Siemens NX).
• Familiarity and proficiency with finite element/structural analysis tools (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS).

Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical content.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate technical documentation.
• Experience using modern engineering tools such as Siemens NX or equivalent CAD and/or commercial FEA software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS) is preferred.
• Familiarity with statistics and statistical methods is preferred.
• Knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis is preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or production is preferred.
• Experience with solid rocket motors is preferred.
• Knowledgeable of NG Propulsion Systems engineering drafting process is preferred.
• Previous fabrication or inspection experience, rocket motor design, or aerospace design experience is preferred.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented yet able to understand the big picture.
• Strong problem-solving skills; self-starter and highly self-motivated.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.