Northrop Grumman, Chandler Arizona is looking for a Electrical Engineering Systems Architect - 6 to join our team.
The Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) team has opportunities for motivated electrical engineers to join our growing team.
GPI is a new development product offering exciting opportunities and unique problem-solving challenges.
Team members work in multi-discipline integrated product teams (IPTs) on a variety of electrical subsystems and components on the interceptor. As part of the GPI team, you will contribute to the development of a new capability to the war fighter.
The Chandler group performs cradle-to-grave engineering on the majority of their launch vehicles. They are working on approximately 15 separate vehicles at any given time, among them are GPI, Antares, Minotaur, Pegasus, GMD, Sentinel, and many more.
Their products serve a variety of purposes including ISS (International Space Station) cargo resupply, deploying defense satellites, developing missile interceptor technology, and providing much needed target vehicles to better hone our military capability.
This means you can be part of the design, operations planning, ground support development, analysis, testing, integration, launch operations and more. There is plenty to do and learn that will reinforce your existing skillsets while also helping you learn what it takes to get a rocket to lift off and achieve orbit.
Our department has a good variety of sub-groups to choose from where you can roll up your sleeves to become an industry expert or opt to pursue a more well-rounded approach while learning a little about everything.
Job Duties
- Based on specific objectives, write requirements, assist with system architecture, perform analysis, design, and/or test of complex designs.
- Perform comprehensive review of internal, external, industry, customer, and range requirements to support interceptor system-level design, and interceptor subsystem design and integration into a vertical launch system.
- Perform detailed analyses to support/verify designs and conduct briefings to management and customers.
- Lead development, coordination, and execution of test programs required to evaluate the design.
- Oversee component supplier design, analysis, manufacture, and test.
- Lead troubleshooting efforts and comprehensive failure investigations.
- Mentor other engineers from a technical standpoint as well as perform senior peer review.
- Collaborate early and often with other IPTs, engineering disciplines, and operations/manufacturing groups.
Job Responsibilities
- Broad understanding and application of industry and company electrical engineering technical standards.
- Understanding of system integration into existing government launch systems.
- Broad technical expertise and working knowledge of other related disciplines.
- Prepares and presents electrical engineering materials for Requirements and Design Reviews.
- Perform testing to characterize off-nominal behavior of components.
- Design and analyze digital communication interfaces (e.g., RS-422, Gigabit Ethernet), including bandwidth and latency considerations
- Develop and integrate FPGA and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions within complex embedded systems
- Oversee guidance section electronics and infrared (IR) seeker hardware/software integration and performance assessments
- Apply working knowledge of Vertical Launch System (VLS) and Aegis Weapon System (AWS) platform interfaces and constraints
- Define and document interface requirements; conduct schematic/layout reviews to ensure robust designs
- Develop electrical architectures including power distribution, grounding schemes, and protection strategies
- Collaborate on flight computer/controller design, integration, and verification activities
- Contribute to image processing system design and implementation for sensor and seeker applications
- Demonstrate strong cross-functional collaboration with systems, software, mechanical, and test teams
- Perform root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of complex electrical and system-level issues
- Actively and effectively participates and contributes in a positive manner while supporting team decisions and goals.
- Makes an extra effort to provide quality internal and external customer service.
- Constantly seeks new sources of information and provides information necessary to meet customer needs.
- Disciplined with escalation when required.
- Derives and decomposes requirements through multiple sources of documentation and design meetings.
- Evaluate uncertainty and risks associated with requirements and designs.
- Participates in trade studies for both internal projects and procured equipment.
- Act with safety as your number one priority through every aspect of the role.
- Provides formal peer review of engineering designs or analyses for team members.
- Mentors team members and provides significant support to the EE lead.
Basic Qualifications
- BS in engineering and 14 years experience, 12 years with Masters, 10 years with PhD
- Electrical engineering preferred
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US DoD Secret Security clearance is required
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Secret Security Clearance, or higher
- Experience working in a multi-discipline Integrated Product Team (IPT) structure
- Previous experience with DOD missile defense programs
- Extensive experience with missile systems, associated standards, and existing launch systems
- Prior experience with the design, test, and/or integration and deployment of electrical components or subsystems
- Release of engineering documentation including technical drawings, specifications, and test procedures
- Burndown of nonconformances and/or root cause failure analysis of electronic systems
- Problem solving not only for technical issues, but also for schedule, cost, resource, and other project challenges
- Mentoring and cross-training team members across a diverse set of technologies and electrical system architectures used to meet customer requirements
- Knowledgeable with the use of basic test equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and electronic loads
- Experience using analytical software tools, such as MATLAB or Python, to analyze and reduce data to identify key characteristics and trends
Primary Level Salary Range: $157,800.00 - $236,600.00The 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 14 years of experience, or 12 years with a master’s degree, or 10 years with a PhD
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance
- Electrical engineering background
- Active Secret security clearance or higher
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary Integrated Product Team structure
- Experience with Department of Defense missile defense programs
- Extensive experience with missile systems, associated standards, and existing launch systems
- Experience designing, testing, integrating, or deploying electrical components or subsystems
- Experience releasing engineering documentation, including technical drawings, specifications, and test procedures
- Experience with nonconformance resolution or root-cause failure analysis of electronic systems
- Experience using test equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and electronic loads
- Experience using MATLAB or Python for data analysis
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







