Job Description:
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer or Sr Principal Systems Engineer to join the Embedded Infrastructure Team supporting the development of mission-critical defense systems. This role bridges systems engineering, embedded software, and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to define, develop, integrate, and verify embedded computing platforms that enable net-generation capabilities. The successful candidate will have experience with Gitlab, Operating Systems, and/or COMMs to collaborate across software, hardware, cybersecurity, specialty engineering, and program leadership to develop digital engineering solutions and ensure robust system performance throughout the system lifecycle.
This requisition may be filled based on qualifications listed below:
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and manage system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies using MBSE methodologies.
- Create and maintain SysML models using Cameo Systems Modeler (or equivalent MBSE tools).
- Collaborate with embedded software developers to ensure system architectures are effectively implemented.
- Define software and hardware interface requirements for embedded computing environments.
- Support digital engineering initiatives through model-based analysis, architecture development, and requirements traceability.
- Develop system verification and validation plans while ensuring complete requirements coverage.
- Partner with software, hardware, cybersecurity, reliability, system safety, and integration teams to resolve technical issues.
- Support Agile development using JIRA, Confluence, and configuration management tools.
- Participate in technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and SVR.
- Evaluate technical risk and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Mentor junior systems engineering best practices
Basic Qualifications
- Principal Engineer Systems (Level 3): 5 years with Bachelors in Science; 3 Years with asters; 1 Year with PhD
- Sr Principal Engineer Systems (Level 4): 8 years with Bachelors in Science; 6 Years with master’s or 3 years PHD
- Experience developing systems engineering products across the full system lifecycle.
- Experience supporting embedded software or embedded computing platforms.
- Experience with Model-Base Systems Engineering (MBSE).
- Experience using SysML and Cameo System Modeler (or similar modeling tools).
- Understanding software architecture, software integration, and interface development.
- Familiarity with requirements management tools.
- Experience working within Agile software development teams.
- Active Secret Security Clearance to Start.
Preferred Qualifications
- Digital Engineering experience.
- Embedded Linux or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) knowledge.
- Software development experience using C++, Python, or Java.
- Experience with Git, GitLab, Jenkins, or CI/CD pipelines.
Skills Required
- Principal Engineer Level 3: 5 years with Bachelor's; 3 years with Master's; 1 year with PhD
- Sr Principal Engineer Level 4: 8 years with Bachelor's; 6 years with Master's or 3 years with PhD
- Experience developing systems engineering products across the full system lifecycle
- Experience supporting embedded software or embedded computing platforms
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Experience using SysML and Cameo Systems Modeler (or similar modeling tools)
- Understanding software architecture, software integration, and interface development
- Familiarity with requirements management tools
- Experience working within Agile software development teams
- Active Secret Security Clearance to Start
- Experience with GitLab, Operating Systems, and/or COMMs
- Digital Engineering experience
- Embedded Linux or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) knowledge
- Software development experience using C++, Python, or Java
- Experience with Git, GitLab, Jenkins, or CI/CD pipelines
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.






