Mechanical Engineer
Northrop Grumman
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Chantilly, VA · Posted September 22, 2026
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Where Chantilly, VA ranks
Where Chantilly, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living in the Mid-Atlantic$192k · of 37
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living in the Southeast$192k · of 33
- #1Best cities for pay after cost of living in Virginia$192k · of 15
- #2Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic78 / 100 · of 37
- #4Best cities for mid-career professionals66% · of 100
- #5Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living$198k · of 94
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)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 164 open mechanical engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $108,500 to $153,500 and the median is $130,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
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: Uncleared
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 a Mechanical Engineer / Principal Mechanical Engineer to join Mission Systems Discipline Engineering Organization. This position will be located in Chantilly, VA
Roles and Responsibilities:
Create designs, perform analysis, integrate hardware, test deliverables, and generate documentation for hardware systems and systems of systems
Work in 3D CAD to design solutions
Utilize 3D CAD and other resources to perform analysis and calculations to validate designs
Procure, inspect, and assemble first article designs
Work with manufacturers to validate DFM
Support operations and maintenance of fielded SIGINT systems
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team to upgrade and improve developmental and fielded systems to maximize uptime and capabilities
Interface and collaborate with customers, end users, operators, and field representatives
This is an on-site and full-time position
Role includes potential CONUS travel (up to 10%), with more available based on interest and program needs.
This requisition may be filled at either the Mechanical Engineer or Principal Mechanical Engineer level.
Basic Qualifications for Mechanical Engineer:
Must have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent STEM related discipline.
Minimum of 2 years of experience with a Bachelor's degree; Minimum of 0 years with master's degree; Minimum of 0 Years experience with PhD
Willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
Experience with design modeling and drawing efforts using 3-D modeling tools
Experience and willingness to be hands on during hardware assembly, testing and integration
Experience creating designs using machined steel and aluminum, sheet metal, welded fixtures, additive manufacturing/composites components and assemblies
Experience creating mechanical documentation; part drawings, assembly drawings, ANSI standards, etc.
Experience performing mechanical analyses (structural FEA, modal, thermal) to validate and qualify designs.
Hands-on experience in prototype or production machine shops, including interpreting drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Mechanical Engineer:
Must have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent STEM related discipline.
Minimum of 5 Years of experience with a bachelor's degree; Minimum of 3 years with master's degree; Minimum of 1 Years experience with PhD
Willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
Experience with design modeling and drawing efforts using 3-D modeling tools
Experience and willingness to be hands on during hardware assembly, testing and integration
Experience creating designs using machined steel and aluminum, sheet metal, welded fixtures, additive manufacturing/composites components and assemblies
Experience creating mechanical documentation; part drawings, assembly drawings, ANSI standards, etc.
Experience performing mechanical analyses (structural FEA, modal, thermal) to validate and qualify designs.
Hands-on experience in prototype or production machine shops, including interpreting drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
Experience packaging custom electronics and COTS into ruggedized enclosures for airborne and ground systems.
Proficiency with SolidWorks (or similar 3D CAD) for complex assemblies, configurations, and ANSI/ASME drawings.
Experience with CAD data management and configuration control (PDM/PLM, revision control, release workflows).
Familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) and applying PMI/GD&T within 3D models.
Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical, RF, and software in multi discipline teams.
Experience supporting hardware integration, test, and troubleshooting in lab and field environments.
Demonstrated ability to produce clear, complete mechanical documentation (parts, assemblies, BOMs, work instructions).
Aptitude and experience in systems integration and test activities, including hardware / software integration, verification, and troubleshooting.
Knowledge of SIGINT operations
Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00
Secondary 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.