Mechanical Design Engineer – Level 3
Northrop Grumman Systems
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San Diego, CA · Posted October 20, 2026
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November 2026
- #1Cities hosting the most business conferences in the West Coast78 conferences · of 17
- #2Cities hosting the most human resources conferences6 conferences · of 10
- #3Best cities for life sciences and biotech jobs454 openings · of 41
- #3Best cities for aerospace and defense jobs377 openings · of 67
- #3Cities hosting the most legal services conferences7 conferences · of 17
- #3Cities hosting the most staffing & human capital conferences6 conferences · of 8
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
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- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 55 open mechanical design engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $100,000 to $144,000 and the median is $120,000.
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Mechanical Design Engineer salaries by state · Check your own pay
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AI use among mechanical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for mechanical engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
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’s Space Sector is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer – Level 3 to join our MEP Team in San Diego, California . This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Northrop Grumman Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Business Unit designs, builds, and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. Our main products include satellites and associated space components and services, launch vehicles and related propulsion systems, missile products, subsystems and defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, and advanced aerospace structures.
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will develop and design composite components, assemblies, and associated manufacturing and test tooling. You will collaborate with Manufacturing, Test, and other Engineering functions to ensure successful execution and delivery of hardware.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Design complex assemblies including high strength & stiffness composite laminates, honeycomb sandwich structures, and metallic interface hardware
Create, prototype, design, and analyze tools and fixtures for manufacturing and testing of composite parts and assemblies. Tools include layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and test fixtures
Develop and refine components and subsystems utilizing design skills, hand calculations, CAD modeling software and analytical tools
Perform detailed 3D designs and generate 2D engineering drawings
Participate and present in internal and external (customer) design reviews. Includes generation of presentation media for PDR, CDR, and MRR type reviews
Support manufacturing and test of fixtures and hardware as required
Aid in the generation of manufacturing and test plans
Support procurement of flight hardware and tooling
Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining a focus towards common project goals of the program team, matrix organization, and customers
Support continuous improvement of departmental tools and procedures
Ensure designs meet manufacturing and test plans, while maintaining targets for cost and schedule
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering with five (5) years of experience in a structural design field; OR Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering with three (3) years of experience in a structural design field.
Aerospace experience with product definition and design. Understanding of specifications, SOW's, drawings, ICD compliance
Understanding of aerospace materials and assembly methods (bonding/fastening)
Ability to perform design of complex, multi-piece tool assemblies to ensure successful execution of manufacturing and test plans
Experience in CAD and PLM systems, such as Siemens NX and Teamcenter.
Experience in drawing generation, with practical knowledge and use of GD&T
Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFMA) principles and mistake-proofing techniques
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with aerospace tooling, including composite layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Experience with composite/metallic assemblies including bonded/fastened joints and associated materials, adhesives and fasteners
Demonstrated initiative and strong interpersonal skills, thriving both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
Experience with composite manufacturing processes and applications (layup, machining, bonding & assembly)
Active Government clearance
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00
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.