Engineer/Principal Engineer Electronics - Ground System Architect/Integrator (San Diego CA)
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add an Engineer/Principal Engineer Electronics - Ground System Architect/Integrator to our team in San Diego, California.
This candidate will be responsible for the development of next generation ground system solutions within the Aeronautics Systems Integrated Product Team (IPT).
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Determine customer needs and develop approaches, implementations, components, interfaces, identify standards and constraints, civil requirements, and security needs.
- Survey the industry for awareness of customer needs and alternative systems.
- Lead trade studies, technology development, and subcontractor teams.
- Write Python scripts per customer requirements to support configuration verification, streamline processes and troubleshoot issues from the field.
- Understanding of Ground System architecture including UAV Command and Control (C2), classified and unclassified networks, network storage devices, security appliances and government external interfaces.
- Knowledge of, or experience with, common ground approaches, implementations, components, standards, interfaces, constraints, and security needs.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. Once established in role, the position could potentially offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion. This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
Basic Qualifications:
- Educational/ Experience Requirements:
- Engineer (LV2): Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of related engineering experience
- Principal Engineer (LV3): Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of Ground System architecture including UAV Command and Control (C2), classified and unclassified networks, network storage devices, security appliances, and government external interfaces.
- Knowledge of/experience with common ground approaches, implementations, components, standards, interfaces, constraints, and security needs.
- Experience writing and troubleshooting Python scripts
- Working knowledge of systems engineering principles, processes, software/hardware integration, and system software deployment.
- Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with Agile development and JIRA.
- Experience with IFC Upgrade to include integration and fielding for operational purposes
- Experience writing and presenting technical information to customer and internal management audience.
- Experience with Cyber Security requirements and/or implementation.
- Experience in initial design, review, and the approval process and implementation thereof said design cradle to grave.
- Experience in Teamcenter, release process, CATIA and CAD drawing.
- Experience with supplier subcontractors and supplier SOW.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (or Master's/PhD per level) with relevant engineering experience
- Demonstrated understanding of ground system architecture including UAV Command and Control (C2), classified and unclassified networks, network storage devices, security appliances, and government external interfaces
- Experience writing and troubleshooting Python scripts
- Working knowledge of systems engineering principles, software/hardware integration, and system software deployment
- Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time and work full-time on-site in San Diego (potential hybrid later)
- Experience with Agile development and JIRA
- Experience with IFC Upgrade integration and fielding for operational purposes
- Experience writing and presenting technical information to customers and internal management
- Experience with cyber security requirements and/or implementation
- Experience with initial design, review, approval processes and full-lifecycle implementation
- Experience with Teamcenter, release process, CATIA and CAD drawing
- Experience working with supplier subcontractors and drafting supplier SOWs
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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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
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.








