Senior Principal Experimental Thermal Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Baltimore
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available 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. At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we’ll support you by expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career. We are looking for you to join our team as a Senior Principal Experimental Thermal Engineer based out of Linthicum, MD. What You’ll Get to Do: The thermal analysis and design team designs and tests sensor and radar cooling systems across the Mission Systems sector, including the airborne, ground mobile, ground stationery, and surface based naval domains, and across a variety of product types ranging from environmental control systems (ECS), sensor and radar cooling solutions, chassis, CCAs, and device level cooling applications. Design and test advanced electronics thermal management solutions using heat transfer principles to meet optimal thermal performance. This is a dual role with primary responsibilities requiring hands on experimental thermal research, and thermal design verification for electronics cooling applications, but also requires strong understanding of thermal management of electronics. Perform electronics thermal analysis, requiring experience in heat transfer, including liquid cooled, air-cooled, two-phase flow, and refrigeration thermal solutions for Mission Systems platforms such as airborne, ground based, and naval applications. Lead thermal designs by owning thermal requirement compliance, thermal architecture, and thermal performance of the design, while mentoring less experienced thermal engineers. Provide oral and written presentations to internal and external customers and stakeholders. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years of experience, master’s degree with 6 years of experience, Ph.D. with 4 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields. U.S Citizenship is required The ability to obtain/maintain a DoD Secret clearance The ability to work onsite daily at the Linthicum, MD/Baltimore facility Minimum of 6 years of heat transfer experimentation experience including test design, instrumentation selection, instrumentation application, and data acquisition Minimum of 6 years of expertise in design by analysis with a finite volume of finite difference software package Demonstrated application of advanced convective thermal management and design of single phase and two-phase thermal design for high heat flux/high power density applications using analytical, high fidelity, or experimental methods Preferred Qualifications: Active DoD Secret Clearance or higher Advanced Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with concentration in Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics Minimum of 2 years of experience with one or more of the following software packages: ANSYS Icepak, ANSYS Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Fluent Minimum of 6 years of experience with automated control and acquisition of single phase and two-phase cooling loops, using tools like LabView to control National Instruments hardware, or similar Minimum of 6 years of experience proposing and leading R&D programs which address challenging customer thermal requirements Minimum of 6 years of experience advancing the state of the art for next generation electronics thermal cooling Prior experience leading the thermal design of systems, CCAs and microelectronics level thermal designs Attention to detail and knowledge of basic electronics (AC and DC) with an emphasis on safety in the laboratory. Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more! Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world. Our Values . The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve. Our Responsibility . At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world. Primary Level Salary Range: $119,200.00 - $178,800.00 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.

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