Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or a Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer – Network Engineer to join our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA, The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
Design, implement, and support network infrastructure components (Routers/Switches/Firewalls).
Monitor and optimize network performance.
Develop and maintain network documentation, diagrams, and standards.
Troubleshoot and root cause analysis for complex network issues and support incidents response as needed.
Develop engineering and automated deployments for datacenter system configurations.
Collaborate with engineers to install, troubleshoot and redline documented procedures.
Work closely with Engineers and Technicians in a lab environment.
Provide support to software integration lab and for end-to-end communication. Including being responsible for making network changes to the system, enhancing and improving the network system and architecture, troubleshooting complex network issues and resolving the discovered bugs.
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 25% may be required.
Basic Qualifications
Principal Electronics Engineer: 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.
Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+ce, CCNP, and CISSP.
Expertise with IP subnetting
Experience with or understanding of TCP/IP, routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP), and other networking concepts
Experience with or understanding network automation scripting using Ansible, Python, Bash, and Shell.
Knowledge of or experience with network security features like IP access-lists
Experience with network design and/or data center architecture.
Experience with network firewalls such as Cisco ASA, Cisco Firepower, and/or Palo Alto Networks.
Experience with troubleshooting complex networking issues
Familiarity with network management protocols like SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS.
A U.S. Citizen with Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance OR active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs
Note: SAP/PAR will be upgraded once selected candidate is in role. Therefore, candidate must also be able to obtain and maintain upgraded SAP/PAR.)
Preferred Qualifications
Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Active DoD Top Secret SCI clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE and CISSP.
Professional certification specific to the networking industry such as CCNA or higher.
Experience with Cisco technologies like Nexus switches, ACI Fabrics, Catalyst switches.
Experience with data center architecture.
Understanding network automation scripting using Ansible, Python, Bash and Shell.
Knowledge of virtualization technologies like VMware and their associated networking solutions (e.g. NSX).
Understanding advanced features like GRE, IPSEC, DMVPN, MPLS, QoS, Multicast.
Experience with Cisco Unified Communications / VoIP.
Familiar with network management applications, like SolarWinds, SuzieQ, Splunk, and/or Cisco ISE.
Familiar with Windows, Linux, VMWare configuration and troubleshooting.
Experience with HAIPE/TACLANE encryptors and other military COMSEC/CRYPTO equipment and procedures.
Familiar with network emulator tools such as EVE-NG, GNS3, Cisco Modeling Lab (CML), Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL).
Working knowledge of DISA security STIGs and maintaining security best practices.
Experience with tools like Jira, Bitbucket, Gitlab, GitHub.
Experience with Kubernetes and Container networking.
Familiar with Agile methodology.
Familiar with version control, GIT experience preferred.
Ability to author and maintain technical installation, configuration, and update documentation.
Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 5 years' related engineering experience (Principal) or Bachelor's with 8 years (Sr Principal); or Master's/PhD with reduced years as listed
- Active DoD 8140 IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification (examples: CCNA Security, Security+ce, CCNP, CISSP)
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance (Top Secret/SCI preferred) or active Top Secret with SCI eligibility (background investigation within past 5 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial and upgraded Special Access Program (SAP) access via Program Access Request (PAR) prior to employment
- Expertise with IP subnetting, TCP/IP, and routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP)
- Experience designing and supporting network infrastructure components (routers, switches, firewalls) and data center architecture
- Experience with network firewalls (Cisco ASA, Cisco Firepower, Palo Alto Networks)
- Network automation and scripting experience (Ansible, Python, Bash, Shell)
- Knowledge of network security features (IP access-lists) and familiarity with network management protocols (SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS)
- Proven ability to troubleshoot and perform root cause analysis for complex network issues
- Work full-time on-site at company facility (no remote/hybrid)
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.






