Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal/Senior Principal Engineer - Survivability to join our team at Edwards AFB, CA.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
- Coordinate LO requirements with RCS designers and supportability/maintainability engineers to ensure the system meets LO requirements
- Perform RCS analysis and test data post-processing
- Operate and maintain Tier 0 – 3 RCS testing / inspection tools for signature characterization and diagnostics
- Design, plan, and execute RCS/RF tests, to include determining test requirements, testing methods, equipment / measurement selection, test setup, and pre/post testing reporting
- Analyze system and component test results, work with program survivability personnel to determine compliance to signature requirements, evaluate design trades, and make recommendations for materials, composites, and other aspects of survivability performance
- Communicate risks, issues, and opportunities to internal and external stakeholders
- Manage vendors and subcontractors as part of a Supplier Management Team
- Coordinate internally with support organizations such as Global Supply Chain, Facilities, IT and Security
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 (T03): 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 experienceSr Senior Principal (T04): Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience
- Prior experience or exposure to RF testing
- Prior experience in Applied Electromagnetics and/or Survivability, and understanding of Electromagnetic Energy transmission through space and within materials
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance (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
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- MS degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, materials science, or chemical engineering; physics; chemistry; computer science; or applied mathematics from an ABET accredited university
- Demonstrated experience using Tier 1-3 diagnostics systems to categorize RCS performance
- Proficiency in RF testing at an indoor or outdoor RCS/RF test facility
- Strong interpersonal communication and technical writing skills to enable effective personal interaction and collaboration with a multi-disciplined team and customers
- Demonstrated knowledge in one or more Survivability Engineering sub-disciplines
- Proficiency in developing and executing tests and analyzing test results
- Demonstrated success working with internal support organizations such as Global Supply Chain, Facilities, and Security
- Demonstrated success building customer intimacy
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with relevant engineering experience (Principal: Bachelor's+5yrs / Master's+3yrs / PhD+1yr; Senior Principal: Bachelor's+8yrs / Master's+6yrs / PhD+4yrs)
- Prior experience or exposure to RF testing
- Prior experience in Applied Electromagnetics and/or Survivability and understanding of electromagnetic energy transmission
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance with background investigation within past 5 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via Program Access Request (PAR) prior to employment
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs after employment as needed
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with a government clearance)
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- MS degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, materials science, chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, or applied mathematics (ABET accredited)
- Demonstrated experience using Tier 1-3 diagnostics systems to categorize RCS performance
- Proficiency in RF testing at indoor or outdoor RCS/RF test facilities
- Strong interpersonal communication and technical writing skills
- Demonstrated knowledge in one or more Survivability Engineering sub-disciplines
- Proficiency in developing and executing tests and analyzing test results
- Demonstrated success working with internal support organizations (Global Supply Chain, Facilities, Security)
- Demonstrated success building customer intimacy
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.







