Principal Electrical Engineer / Sr. Principal Engineer Electrical - Level 3 or Level 4
Space Systems Integration and Test (I&T) group is seeking a Principal Engineer Electrical or Senior Principal Engineer Electrical (Integration and Test) to join our team in Redondo Beach, California.
You will have the opportunity to design, develop, and execute test procedures and automated test scripts using spacecraft commands, telemetry, and electrical ground support equipment. The ideal candidate has system level test experience working with spacecraft flight hardware and good computer skills. Daily responsibilities will require I&T test preparation leading to direct contact with satellite and space flight hardware. Required skills include the ability to communicate clearly and to use critical thinking in troubleshooting of problems. The ability to use scripting language and formulate automated test scripts is highly desirable.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Rapid onboarding on spacecraft flight hardware, software, and electrical GSE to become a subject‑matter expert.
Define, create, and execute automated test scripts (ATSs) that verify functional and performance requirements.
Conduct verification and validation of both subsystem and full‑system requirements, ensuring compliance with mission specifications.
Design and implement data‑analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW) for rapid interpretation of test data.
Develop I&T test procedures, specifications, and test limits
Execute I&T testing, monitor tests per specification, troubleshoot, and document all test activities
Escalate test errors/failures per NG/program process and understand when to pause testing and/or proceed
Coordinates with Engineering and Operations team leads, electrical test conductors/technicians, and I&T managers to complete tasking. May participate or prepare material in program review boards (ERBs, TRRs, FRBs, etc).
Other duties as assigned
This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.
Basic Qualifications for Level 3:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
Requires an active U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
International/domestic travel to support launch campaigns may be required.
Shift and weekend work to support testing will be required periodically.
Basic Qualifications for Level 4:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 year of professional experience.
Requires an active U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
International/domestic travel to support launch campaigns may be required.
Shift and weekend work to support testing will be required periodically.
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with 1553 data bus architecture and capture tools.
Experience with test bed operations and processes involving mixed configurations of test equipment, Engineering Models/units, and flight units
Directly related experience in Integration and test
Experience in Electronics troubleshooting or anomaly investigation
Experience in Environmental testing (Thermal Cycle/Thermal Vacuum chamber testing, EMI testing)
Programming or debugging experience with any of the following languages: Python, Linux Environment.
Experience with any of the following tools: CAPE, DSATS
Experience in Aerospace or Defense industry (development or test)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM with 5 years professional experience OR Master's with 3 years OR PhD with 1 year (Level 3)
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM with 8 years professional experience OR Master's with 6 years OR PhD with 4 years (Level 4)
- Active U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
- System-level test experience working with spacecraft flight hardware
- Willingness to travel internationally/domestically (approximately 10%) to support launch campaigns
- Willingness to work shifts and weekends periodically to support testing
- Strong troubleshooting, critical thinking, and clear communication skills
- Ability to design, develop, and execute automated test scripts and use scripting languages
- Experience with data-analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW)
- Familiarity with 1553 data bus architecture and capture tools
- Experience with test bed operations, mixed configurations, and Integration & Test processes
- Experience in electronics troubleshooting, anomaly investigation, and environmental testing (thermal vacuum, EMI)
- Programming or debugging experience in Linux environment
- Experience with CAPE or DSATS tools
- Experience in Aerospace or Defense industry (development or test)
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
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