What's Your Possible?
At Northrop Grumman UK, you are part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow's challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible.
This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions. It is the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.
Opportunity Overview
This is more than just a job; it's a mission.
As a Principal Operations Support Engineer, you'll play a critical role in ensuring the performance, reliability and operational readiness of advanced mission systems that support national security and defence operations.
Working within a highly skilled engineering and operations team, you will lead operational systems analysis, monitor system performance and trends, drive continuous improvement initiatives and provide technical leadership during real-time anomaly resolution and recovery activities.
You'll work across a complex enterprise environment, collaborating with engineers, operators, government customers and technical specialists to deliver mission success.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced systems or operations engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, mentoring others and working at the forefront of cutting-edge defence and mission systems technology.
What You'll Do
As a Principal Operations Support Engineer, you will:
- Act as the Responsible System Engineer, reviewing and reporting on system performance, operational health and trending data across multiple systems.
- Lead operational anomaly investigations, recovery activities and on-call support to ensure critical mission systems remain available and effective.
- Develop, maintain and enhance monitoring and trending tools using technologies such as Python, Perl, Linux and Grafana.
- Review, update and validate operational procedures, documentation and training materials for current and future system generations.
- Support future system development activities, assessing operational impacts and contributing to design and engineering working groups.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers across the team while driving process improvements and operational excellence.
What We're Looking For
We're interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
- A degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) and relevant engineering experience, or equivalent qualifications as outlined within the role requirements.
- Experience working within systems engineering, operations engineering or a related technical environment.
- Strong knowledge of Linux environments and scripting tools such as Python, Perl or similar technologies.
- Experience analysing system performance, operational data trends and complex technical issues.
- The ability to work effectively across geographically dispersed teams and matrix organisations.
- Strong communication skills with experience engaging technical stakeholders, customers and multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable Experience
- Previous operations support or systems engineering experience.
- Experience developing trending and monitoring solutions using tools such as Python, Perl and Grafana.
- Experience working within defence, aerospace, mission systems or other highly regulated industries.
- Experience leading technical activities and mentoring junior engineers.
- Knowledge of Agile methodologies and tools such as Jira, Confluence and Git.
We know that everyone's career journey is different. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we'd still encourage you to apply if you're excited by the opportunity and believe you can make a meaningful contribution to our team.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of our work, you must be a UK national and able to gain and maintain UK Government security clearance in line with the job role and requirements.
Our recruitment team is on hand to answer any questions and will guide you through the process: [email protected]
Benefits
We offer a flexible and rewarding package designed to support your career and wellbeing, including:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Optional compressed fortnight with every other Friday off
- Private healthcare, dental cover, life assurance and pension scheme
- Flexible benefits package, including critical illness cover and health cash plan
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Annual performance incentive programme
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
- Employee discounts and wellbeing support initiatives
Why Join Northrop Grumman UK?
A Mission to Believe In
Every day we contribute to building a more secure and connected world. From advanced defence technology and mission systems to cyber, intelligence and operational capability, our teams solve some of the world's most complex challenges. You'll also have opportunities to give back through STEM outreach programmes, volunteering initiatives and employee-led networks.
A Place to Belong and Thrive
Every voice matters. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people feel valued, respected and empowered to succeed. Our diverse workforce and employee networks help foster a culture where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.
Your Career, Your Way
Whether you want to deepen your technical expertise, move into leadership or explore new disciplines, we'll help you shape a career that reflects your ambitions. Through mentoring, training and development opportunities, you'll have the support to discover what's possible.
Ready to Apply?
Yes – Submit your application online.
Possibly – Reach out to our team for more information and support: [email protected]
No – We're continually growing across the UK and regularly create new opportunities across engineering, defence, mission systems, cyber and technology.
Explore our latest vacancies and discover what's possible at Northrop Grumman UK.
Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.
Skills Required
- UK citizenship
- STEM degree and relevant engineering experience, or equivalent qualifications
- Experience in systems engineering, operations engineering, or a related technical environment
- Strong knowledge of Linux environments
- Scripting experience using Python, Perl, or similar technologies
- Experience analyzing system performance, operational trends, and complex technical issues
- Ability to work across geographically dispersed teams and matrix organizations
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Operations support or systems engineering experience
- Experience developing monitoring and trending solutions using Python, Perl, and Grafana
- Experience in defense, aerospace, mission systems, or regulated industries
- Technical leadership and mentoring experience
- Knowledge of Agile methodologies, Jira, Confluence, and Git
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.
