Staff Propulsion Engineer - Spacecraft Propulsion Subsystem
- US citizenship
- TS/SCI clearance
- Top Secret clearance
How this pay compares
This posting states $177k–$266k a year. Open propulsion engineer jobs in California post a median of $151k a year, the middle half $130k–$170k, across 118 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post.
Propulsion engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI 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 Space Sector is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer – Spacecraft Propulsion Subsystemto join our Thermal, Propulsion & Cryocooler Systems (TPCS) department within our Vehicle Engineering directorate (West Region Engineering). The Staff Propulsion Engineer’s primary responsibility is to lead the propulsion subsystem through the full lifecycle, from design and analysis through build and delivery.
This position will be based on-site in Redondo Beach, CA. ## Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following - Leading the architecture and design of the spacecraft propulsion system - Overseeing selection and procurement of fluid components - Performing analyses in fluid mechanics and scoping, bounding, and reviewing analyses in combustion, aerodynamics, thermal, and stress - Guiding mechanical design and overseeing manufacturing operations and hot-fire testing on flight hardware - Interfacing with program customers and suppliers - Overseeing testing campaigns - Participating in issue resolution ## Basic Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 12+ years of propulsion engineering or other relevant engineering experience; OR Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years of stated experience; OR Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of stated experience - Experience with monopropellant or bipropellant spacecraft propulsion systems - Must have an active U.S.
Government SCI access at the time of application OR an active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company, prior to the start date ## Preferred Qualifications - Active, in-scope U.S.
Government Top Secret/SCI clearance - Experience developing and verifying requirements for propulsion subsystems - Experience performing propulsion subsystem fluid analyses - Experience leading design reviews with internal and external customers - Experience working with hypergolic propellants - Experience leading teams - Experience managing schedules and performing earned value management - Experience with spacecraft propulsion component hardware procurement and supply chain operations - Experience writing test plans for propulsion subsystem and thruster testing #LosAngelesSpace #SpaceEngJobs Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00 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.
From Northrop Grumman's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Northrop Grumman
Satellites, space telescopes, cargo spacecraft and rocket boosters, inside a defense prime.
Pay on its listings: 98% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Northrop Grumman's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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