Mechanical Analysis Manager 1

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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.
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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
We are looking for you to join our team as a Mechanical Analysis Manager 1 based out of Woodland Hills, CA. This is a fully onsite position working a 9/80 schedule. This is an 80/20 role where approximately 80% of the time is spent on program technical activities and 20% of the time is spent on staff management and development.
As a Mechanical Analysis Manager 1 at Northrop Grumman, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to lead a team of mechanical analysis engineers supporting the design and development of military avionics, including inertial navigation and measurement systems and mission computers (e.g., Sentinel program and related products). Through the use of model-based engineering and agile practices, we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
What You’ll Get to Do
Technical Leadership & Program Support (≈80%)
Serve as the technical lead and individual contributor for the Mechanical Analysis team, providing guidance in structural and thermal analysis activities.
Lead and perform structural analysis including static, dynamics, stability, and damage tolerance analysis of metallic structures, mechanical systems, electromechanical systems, and avionics equipment—by hand and using approved automated methods and procedures (e.g., ANSYS and related tools).
Develop and oversee Finite Element Models (FEMs) using CAD geometry, meshing, and running solutions for system/sub-system, piece-part, and assembly-level analyses.
Review engineering drawings, requirements, and material selections for structures, systems, and subsystems; perform required analyses to demonstrate compliance with internal and customer requirements.
Guide the development and manipulation of large-scale FEMs; develop and document structural analysis methods, calculation aids, and tools; propose and implement new analytical approaches based on program needs.
Compute margins of safety using appropriate analysis methods and ensure analysis documentation is clear, traceable, and aligned with certification requirements.
Develop and review static/dynamic test plans and procedures; support structural and environmental testing, data reduction, and correlation of test results to analytical models.
Participate in and present at internal and external (customer) design and program reviews, clearly communicating analysis assumptions, methods, and results.
Support Material Review Board (MRB) activities and nonconformance dispositions to ensure sound structural substantiation and robust engineering decision-making.
Provide technical guidance in loads development, preliminary and detailed design, FEM, D&DT (design & development testing), fatigue, bolted and bonded interfaces, repair, structural test, and in‑service modifications, repairs, and life extensions.
Ensure engineering processes and tools used for mechanical analysis are applied consistently and effectively across programs, and contribute to continuous improvement of these processes.
People Management & Organizational Responsibilities (≈20%)
Lead a team of mechanical analysis engineers, providing daily direction, technical mentorship, performance feedback, and career development support.
Develop and implement strong processes with emphasis on quantitative management, continuous improvement, and effective reuse of analysis methods, templates, and heritage data.
Provide management guidance to achieve outstanding cost, schedule, and technical performance across supported programs.
Oversee the preparation and review of technical content in proposals, including mechanical analysis scope, cost estimates, and basis-of-estimates (BOEs).
Interface with discipline leads, other hardware organizations, and program management to coordinate staffing requirements and ensure the proper skill mix to support current and future program activities.
Mentor and challenge team members to develop skills, take on increasing responsibility, and execute against individual development plans.
Perform all manager-related activities including conducting performance and salary reviews, approving timecards, supporting performance management, and working closely with HR on elevated employee matters.
Support broader organizational initiatives related to engineering planning, workload forecasting, process deployment, and metrics.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) or related technical field with 5 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. with 1 year of relevant experience.
Experience performing structural analysis and developing FEA models, including use of ANSYS or comparable finite element analysis tools.
Experience in at least 3 or more of the following topics:
System/sub-system FEA modeling/analysis
Piece-part analysis
Static analysis
Modal and buckling analysis
Dynamic (sine, random, acoustic) response analysis
Thermal strength/distortion analysis
Bolted joint analysis
Ability to verify the validity of simulation results using hand calculations and/or comparison with heritage programs, and to perform bolted joint analyses using accepted methods.
Understanding of engineering processes and tools used in mechanical analysis and hardware design.
U.S. Citizenship required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
Ability and willingness to work full-time onsite in Woodland Hills, CA and support occasional travel as required.
Ability to effectively collaborate in a team environment, prioritize and adjust tasks to accomplish project results, manage multiple responsibilities, and analyze complex problems to develop solutions.
Ability to effectively support and/or manage a geographically dispersed team, partnering with remote engineers and program teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Active Secret U.S Government Security Clearance
Master’s Degree in a technical field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering).
Thermal analysis experience and/or CCA (circuit card assembly) structural analysis experience.
Prior experience with 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software applications.
Experience in test planning, test support, and data reduction for structural and environmental tests.
Experience supporting mechanical analysis of circuit card or electronics packaging design (including vibration, shock, and thermal environments).
Experience in the development and implementation of processes to ens