Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal Electronics Payloads Subsystems Engineer to join our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization.
The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct. The selected candidate will provide key engineering support for a payloads subsystem and will report directly to the subsystem engineering technical lead and program manager.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
Meeting support responsibilities include readiness reviews, site specific training, test briefs and debriefs, security and coordination with test directors.
Post-test support responsibilities include review, analysis and defect investigation of test logs, and validation of test data files, hardware and software troubleshooting on the platform and defect duplication and analysis in a lab.
Pre-test support responsibilities include support and checkout of the system, including but not limited to test planning activities to ensure that test objectives are achieved, and results remain within operational specifications of the subsystem.
Responsibilities will also include coordination of anomalies with engineering and supplier Subject Matter Experts. This includes review of service bulletins, training for new software upgrades, review of new NG and supplier generated Discrepancy Reports and tracking existing Discrepancy Reports as new analyses become available.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is NO remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 10% may be required.
Basic Qualifications:
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 year of related engineering experience.
Practical experience working with payload systems.
Technical development and systems integration experience.
Experience with managing suppliers.
Must have an active US Government Top-Secret Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to obtain and maintain US Government SCI clearance
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
Active USG Top Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Supplier Management Experience
Practical experience working with other payload systems in addition to EW systems.
Experience leading cross-discipline teams
Experience serving as a proposal estimator
Experience in technical writing such as tech volumes & white papers
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 5 years related engineering experience OR Master's in STEM and 3 years OR PhD in STEM and 1 year
- Practical experience working with payload systems
- Technical development and systems integration experience
- Experience managing suppliers
- Active US Government Top-Secret clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government SCI clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- U.S. Citizenship (required for government clearance)
- Willingness to work full-time onsite in Rancho Bernardo, CA
- Ability to travel up to 10%
- Practical experience with EW (electronic warfare) payloads or related payload systems
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.






