Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Principal / Senior Principal Systems Engineer to join the team of qualified individuals on our Research and Advanced Design organization. This role is located onsite in Redondo Beach, CA.
In this role, the successful candidate will lead system-level architecture definition and systems engineering activities for advanced aeronautics programs in the R&AD organization. The role requires strong general systems engineering skills including requirements management, risk management, architecture development, and hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML. The Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer will define and evolve architectures for high-performance aircraft and/or unmanned systems, guide trade studies, and mentor multidisciplinary teams through concept, design, integration, and V&V phases.
Key Responsibilities:
- Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems.
- Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
- Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
- Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detailed trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
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 (Principal):
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 3 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 1 years of related professional/military experience
- Must have an active US Government Secret (or higher) 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.
- Must have experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML—creating and maintaining SysML models and using MBSE to support requirements, design, and verification.
- Must have experience with requirements management (tools such as DOORS, Polarion, or equivalent), including requirements decomposition and traceability.
- Must have experience in risk management methods (e.g., FMEA, FTA, risk registers) and applying risk-informed design decisions.
- Must have experience developing system architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), and performing system-level trade studies.
- Must have familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle processes (V-model) and standards (e.g., INCOSE SE Handbook).
- Must have excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills; ability to present complex technical material clearly.
Basic Qualifications (Sr. Principal):
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 6 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience
- Must have an active US Government Secret (or higher) 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.
- Must have experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML—creating and maintaining SysML models and using MBSE to support requirements, design, and verification.
- Must have experience with requirements management (tools such as DOORS, Polarion, or equivalent), including requirements decomposition and traceability.
- Must have experience in risk management methods (e.g., FMEA, FTA, risk registers) and applying risk-informed design decisions.
- Must have experience developing system architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), and performing system-level trade studies.
- Must have familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle processes (V-model) and standards (e.g., INCOSE SE Handbook).
- Must have excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills; ability to present complex technical material clearly.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree preferred in Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Experience with SysML tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, MagicDraw, or Enterprise Architect.
- Knowledge of aerospace architecture frameworks (DoDAF/UPDM) and model interchange standards (AP233, OSLC).
- Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, model-based verification, or digital thread/MBSE toolchains.
- Experience with avionics, guidance & navigation, flight control systems, or propulsion integration.
- Prior experience in R&AD, prototype development, rapid iteration, or technology maturation programs.
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related professional or military experience; or a STEM master's degree and 3 years; or a STEM Ph.D. and 1 year, for Principal level.
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related professional or military experience; or a STEM master's degree and 6 years; or a STEM Ph.D. and 4 years, for Senior Principal level.
- Active U.S. Government Secret or higher security clearance, with a qualifying recent background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance.
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering and SysML, including creating and maintaining models supporting requirements, design, and verification.
- Experience with requirements management tools such as DOORS, Polarion, or equivalent, including requirements decomposition and traceability.
- Experience with risk management methods such as FMEA, FTA, and risk registers.
- Experience developing system architectures, interface control documents, and system-level trade studies.
- Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle processes, including the V-model, and standards such as the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to present complex technical material clearly.
- Master's degree preferred in aerospace, systems, electrical, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with SysML tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, MagicDraw, or Enterprise Architect.
- Knowledge of aerospace architecture frameworks such as DoDAF and UPDM, and model interchange standards such as AP233 and OSLC.
- Familiarity with MATLAB, Simulink, model-based verification, or digital thread and MBSE toolchains.
- Experience with avionics, guidance and navigation, flight control systems, or propulsion integration.
- Prior experience in research and advanced design, prototype development, rapid iteration, or technology maturation programs.
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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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.
