Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Level 2 or Level 3 Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Systems Engineer to support the AISR&T program in Rancho Bernardo, CA. In this role, you will develop and use system level models to support architecture trades, performance assessments, and design decisions, and will be responsible for planning and executing model verification and validation (V&V) to ensure models accurately represent system behavior.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, integrate, and maintain system level models and simulations to support architecture trades, requirements analysis, and performance assessments.
- Collaborate with systems, software, hardware, and integration teams to derive modeling needs, assumptions, and use cases.
- Plan and execute model verification and validation activities, including defining validation criteria, identifying data sources, and comparing model outputs to test, flight, or operational data.
- Document model assumptions, limitations, key parameters, and V&V results; communicate model credibility and appropriate use to stakeholders.
- Use M&S results to support technical decisions, risk identification, and recommendations to program and customer leadership.
- Support preparation and delivery of technical briefings, results summaries, and trade study findings to internal and external stakeholders.
This position may be filled at the Engineer or Principal Engineer Level based on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:
At an Engineer Level (2):
- Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 2 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least some of relevant military / professional / academic experience
At a Principal Engineer Level (3):
- Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military / professional / academic experience
At Both Engineering Levels (2 & 3):
- Must have proficiency with one or more modeling/simulation tools or languages (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar).
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience analyzing data and presenting results in a clear, concise manner.
- Experience in modeling and simulation and/or systems engineering on complex systems or software intensive programs.
- Experience developing and validating models for airborne ISR, mission systems, sensors, communications, or related domains.
- Experience planning and conducting model V&V, including correlation with lab, flight test, or hardware in the loop data.
- Familiarity with systems engineering practices (requirements analysis, architecture, allocation, and verification) and how M&S supports them.
- Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python/pandas, Jupyter, or similar).
- Familiarity with MBSE tools or approaches and integration of models with system architectures.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across multiple engineering disciplines.
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Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00The 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 of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 2 years of relevant military or professional experience for Engineer Level 2
- Master's degree in a STEM field and some relevant military, professional, or academic experience for Engineer Level 2
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military or professional experience for Principal Engineer Level 3
- Master's degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant military or professional experience for Principal Engineer Level 3
- PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military, professional, or academic experience for Principal Engineer Level 3
- Proficiency with one or more modeling or simulation tools or languages, such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C, or C++
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance or higher, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or current enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Experience analyzing data and presenting results clearly and concisely
- Experience in modeling and simulation or systems engineering on complex systems or software-intensive programs
- Experience developing and validating models for airborne ISR, mission systems, sensors, communications, or related domains
- Experience planning and conducting model verification and validation using laboratory, flight-test, or hardware-in-the-loop data
- Familiarity with systems engineering practices, including requirements analysis, architecture, allocation, and verification
- Experience with data analysis and visualization tools such as MATLAB, Python/pandas, or Jupyter
- Familiarity with MBSE tools or approaches and integrating models with system architectures
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across multiple engineering disciplines
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.








