Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Oklahoma City, OK.
The Systems Engineer will be responsible for coordination and collaboration with diverse engineering design teams to provide imaginative, technical solutions to a wide range of challenging problems in the design, analysis, integration, and verification of the radar subsystem. The engineer will support establishing and managing the technical baseline in support of program review milestones and flight test. The position requires systems thinking and working knowledge of the full development life-cycle processes that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. The candidate must exhibit strong leadership characteristics in coordinating with multiple teams and managing tasks.
This position may be filled at the Principal or Sr. Principal Systems Engineer level. This position is contingent upon verification of DoD Secret clearance and obtainment of Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Basic Qualifications:
- Principal Systems Engineer (T3):
- 5 years of experience with a STEM Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or a related field; or
- 3 years of experience with a STEM Master’s degree in Systems Engineering or a related field.
- Sr. Principal Systems Engineer (T4):
- 9 years of experience with a STEM Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or a related field; or
- 7 years of experience with a STEM Master’s degree in Systems Engineering or a related field.
- Active DoD Secret security clearance with a background investigation date within 6 years.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Physics; advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) preferred.
- Experience working on airborne military radar systems including performance analysis, mode development, and integration onto flight platforms.
- Experience in developing, managing, and decomposing radar system and subsystem requirements, including allocation to hardware, software, and firmware.
- Experience in radar system architecture and CONOPS development, including trade studies and end-to-end performance modeling.
- Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), using SysML and tools such as Cameo or similar.
- Experience in interface control document (ICD) development and integration for airborne platforms (sensor, avionics, and mission systems interfaces).
- Proficiency with radar signal processing concepts (waveform design, pulse compression, Doppler processing, CFAR, beamforming) and tools such as MATLAB/Simulink or Python for analysis and simulation.
- Understanding of RF systems, antennas, and propagation, including radar range equation and link budget analysis.
- Demonstrated communication and technical writing skills, including the ability to brief technical presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience with DOORS (or equivalent requirements management tool), Confluence, and JIRA.
- Scripting or software experience (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or similar) to support analysis, automation, and data analysis.
- Experience working in agile development environments and collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams (hardware, software, integration and test).
Skills Required
- 5 years of experience with a STEM bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field for Principal level
- 3 years of experience with a STEM master's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field for Principal level
- 9 years of experience with a STEM bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field for Senior Principal level
- 7 years of experience with a STEM master's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field for Senior Principal level
- Active DoD Secret security clearance with a background investigation date within 6 years
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Physics
- Advanced degree such as a master's or PhD
- Experience with airborne military radar systems, performance analysis, mode development, and flight-platform integration
- Experience developing, managing, and decomposing radar system and subsystem requirements
- Experience with radar system architecture, CONOPS development, trade studies, and end-to-end performance modeling
- Experience with MBSE using SysML and Cameo or similar tools
- Experience developing interface control documents and airborne platform interfaces
- Knowledge of radar signal processing, including waveform design, pulse compression, Doppler processing, CFAR, and beamforming
- Understanding of RF systems, antennas, propagation, radar range equations, and link-budget analysis
- Technical communication and writing skills, including briefing technical presentations
- Experience with DOORS or equivalent requirements-management tools, Confluence, and JIRA
- Scripting or software experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar tools
- Experience working in agile development environments and multidisciplinary teams
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.





