Principal Material Process Engineer - 17401*
Northrop Grumman Systems
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Huntsville, AL · Posted October 27, 2026
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About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
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 Defense Systems sector is seeking a Principal Material Process Engineer to join the Sentinel program in Huntsville, AL. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.
What You’ll Get To Do:
Responsible to perform full spectrum of design application parts management tasks on assigned system and sub-systems to ensure streamlined risk identification, risk mitigation, and tracking of at-risk component issues during the design and manufacturing of weapon systems and equipment under an overarching Systems Engineering framework.
Develops comprehensive test or data analysis strategies for large scale aerospace and ground control system components.
Demonstrates a complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts relative to part/material performance and service life estimation
Demonstrates general knowledge of Systems Engineering, multi-generational program system and/or multi-generational program subsystem development, and familiarity with supplier management.
Works independently to provide innovative technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems using literature review and testing as appropriate.
Create, analyze, and produce roadmaps, impact, and issue reports and present data to stakeholders, customers, and upper management.
Research specifications and standards to support part, material & process engineering processes being implemented across multiple internal and external supplier sub-system designs and manufacturing processes.
Applicant will be expected to maintain close coordination with several integrated product teams and provide detailed status to program leadership, as required.
Self-motivated, work under general direction, and work well in teams.
Collaborates with systems engineers, design engineers, project managers, reliability engineers, and external customers to establish clear part, material and process design documentation traceability to system performance.
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts
This positions standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.
You’ll Bring These Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of experience with Bachelor's degree, 3 years of experience with Master's degree, or 0 years of experience with PhD.
Must be a US Citizen and have the ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret Security Clearance.
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
Strong written and oral communication for test plans and briefing stakeholders.
Current Level 2 certification in radiographic inspection (RT) with a minimum of 1 documented year of aerospace experience in a quality organization utilizing a Level 2.
NAS410 qualified Level 2 classroom training/experience, or equivalent, in radiographic methodology, either in progress or completed.
Must pass the 20/25 Snellen or Jaeger No. 1 vision test for NAS 410 certification
Project-management basics (schedule, risk, resource coordination).
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and 3D models
Knowledge of material properties, process controls, and failure modes.
Proficiency with test equipment (shakers, climate chambers, DMA, SEM, X-ray, ultrasonic, etc.).
Ability to use data-analysis tools (MATLAB, Python, R, Minitab).
Familiarity with quality-system software (e.g., Minitab, QC tools, PLM).
Ability to read, apply, and generate reports in accordance with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and aerospace standards
Experience in closely related field such as the DOE, or Automotive/Medical device manufacturing and quality assurance is also acceptable.
These Qualifications Would be Nice to Have:
Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Engineering.
Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests, MIL-STD-202 Test Methods for Electronic and Electrical Component Parts, MIL-STD-883 Test Methods and Procedures for Microcircuits, MIL-STD-105E / ISO?2859-1 Sampling Procedures for Inspection, MIL-STD-1540 Design and Development of Test Equipment or MIL-STD-31000 (formerly MIL-STD-310) Quality Assurance (QA) System Requirements
Understanding of process/procedure development, control, and improvement
Demonstrated passion for material properties, semiconductor electronics, corrosion, metallurgy, etc.
Test Plan Writing and reviewing experience negotiation soft skills
Familiar with Service Life Testing, reliability sampling, and failure analysis
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated experience with high value customer presentations, with ability to focus on multiple projects with competing priorities
Experience in performing in an Agile environment and knowledge/understanding of JIRA
Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
NIST-based calibration accreditation (ISO/IEC?17025)
Proficiency with test equipment (shakers, climate chambers, DMA, FTIR, SEM, X-ray, ultrasonic, etc.).
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00
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.