Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Engineer - Simulation Modeling to join the team of qualified individuals. Position is located in Palmdale, CA.
If you enjoy turning complex models into fast, real-time simulations, you’ll shape frameworks, visualization, and analysis pipelines used by diverse customers. Expect variety, learning opportunities, and a friendly environment as you guide trade studies and mission effectiveness analysis using C/C++/Java on Windows/Linux/RTOS with Git, Confluence, Atlassian, and GitLab.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develops new and/or integrates existing system simulation frameworks, performance models and algorithms, threat models and command and control models.
- Simulates real-time operations and develops software that simulates behavior of systems.
- Develops integrates and uses advanced graphical user interfaces and visualization tools.
- Models operational environments, performs trade studies via computer simulation and recommends alternative architectures.
- Performs operational analysis and mission effectiveness analysis.
We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience to include a background in model simulation, OR a Master's degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience include a background in model simulation, OR a Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience include a background in model simulation.
- Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.
- Solid understanding of object-oriented programming languages, including C/C++.
- Familiarity with development on Windows, Linux, and RTOS like LynxOS or VxWorks.
- Experience with aviation or safety-critical systems
- Experience with JavaScript, HTML,CSS and XML
- Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite, plugins, Git and Confluence.
- Experience developing software using Java, C++ or other object oriented software languages
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
- Comfort with agile development tools such as the GitLab tool suite, including proficiency with version control systems like Git.
- Full software development life cycle experience.
- Rhapsody and/or Cameo UML Modeling experience.
- Experience configuring Microsoft Windows within a secure environment.
- Experience using python and other scripting languages in a development environment.
- Proven capacity to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and demonstrate effective communication skills in technical discussions.
- Proficient in creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related professional or military experience, including model simulation; or a Master's degree and 6 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. and 4 years of related experience
- Active US Government Top Secret clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs
- Solid understanding of object-oriented programming, including C and C++
- Familiarity with Windows, Linux, and RTOS environments such as LynxOS or VxWorks
- Experience with aviation or safety-critical systems
- Experience with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and XML
- Experience developing software using Java, C++, or other object-oriented languages
- Current applicable Special Access Program clearance
- Experience with GitLab and version-control systems such as Git
- Full software development lifecycle experience
- Rhapsody or Cameo UML modeling experience
- Experience configuring Microsoft Windows in a secure environment
- Experience using Python or other scripting languages in development
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and communicate technical information effectively
- Proficiency creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle
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.





