Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, redefining engineering capabilities, and driving advances in various sciences through cutting-edge technology. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission.
Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Senior or Sr. Principal Systems Engineer to join a ground-based radar program. This position is based in Colorado Springs, CO near Colorado Springs airport. This role is an in-person role and will require some shift support during events.
The selected engineer will perform as a member of an interdisciplinary team on key efforts to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems. The successful engineer will contribute to the overall development of Radar Performance Algorithms, including System Concept of Operations (CONOPs) Development, System Mission and Mode Development, Kinematic Trajectory Threat Analysis, Modeling and Simulation of Mission Scenarios, Technology Trade Studies, Requirements Development and Derivation for Radar System Operational Performance, Performance Analysis, Data Analysis, and work with cross-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
Job responsibilities:
Support development and integration of radar algorithms to meet system mission and mode performance objectives
Requirements development, analysis, implementation planning for translating system requirements into algorithm design
Performing functional and performance analyses
Development of mathematical algorithms for mode/sensor implementation
Develop software integration planning for system algorithms to model behavior of systems in real-time for radar platforms
Solicit input from various stakeholders, synthesize data, and communicate results to various levels of leadership within the organization.
Perform mission engineering activities to ensure continuity between desired operational capabilities and delivered system performance, through the Systems Engineering “V”. Ensure performance capabilities of new systems and architectures are traded against cost and mission requirements and assess operational effectiveness of existing and emerging systems and capabilities in representative operational environments.
Guiding the team through development/implementation activities
This position can either be filled as Senior or Sr. Principal Systems Engineer based on the basic qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Systems Engineer: 5 Years with Bachelors STEM in Science; 3 Years with Masters; 1 Year with PhD
Sr. Principal Systems Engineer: 8 Years with Bachelors STEM in Science; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD
Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
Expertise with MATLAB and code prototyping
Experience working through the Systems Engineering lifecycle process for system development
Experience with Signals processing
Experience with Radar Systems
Experience with radar Blake Charts for operational performance analysis
Experience with Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence)
Experience with SharePoint
Experience with MS Office tool suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
Strong problem-solving skills and a demonstrated ability to project plan and execute
Demonstrated independent planning, organization, and working in cross-functional teams with a customer focus
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Python, C/C++, Java or related programming languages
Experience in Agile methodology (Kanban, Scrum, etc.)
Experience with requirement derivation and decomposition for system design implementation and planning
Skills Required
- Principal Systems Engineer: 5 years with Bachelors STEM; 3 years with Masters; 1 year with PhD
- Sr. Principal Systems Engineer: 8 years with Bachelors STEM; 6 years with Masters; 4 years with PhD
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance, current and within scope, with ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access
- Expertise with MATLAB and code prototyping
- Experience working through the Systems Engineering lifecycle process for system development
- Experience with signal processing
- Experience with radar systems
- Experience with radar Blake Charts for operational performance analysis
- Experience with Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence)
- Experience with SharePoint
- Experience with MS Office tool suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
- Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to project plan and execute
- Demonstrated independent planning, organization, and working in cross-functional teams with a customer focus
- Experience with Python, C/C++, Java or related programming languages
- Experience in Agile methodology (Kanban, Scrum, etc.)
- Experience with requirement derivation and decomposition for system design implementation and planning
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.
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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.






