Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is looking for a Principal Engineer Systems based in Huntsville, AL. Our Team supports, integrates, develops, and advances multiple software and network products under the the long standing Tactical Ground Equipment (TGE) Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Base Operations Networks (BONES) program.
Core Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain test plans, procedures, and test cases for assigned systems/subsystems.
- Perform system, integration, and regression testing (manual and/or automated).
- Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and work with dev/Systems/QA to resolve defects.
- Document test evidence and support formal reviews, audits, and customer witness events.
- Contribute to requirements verification (traceability from requirements to test cases).
- Develop and/or maintain automated test scripts and test frameworks as applicable.
- Support test environment setup: hardware, software, tools, data, and configurations.
- Support continuous improvement of test processes, tools, and metrics
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in STEM and minimum 5 years of experience, or Masters degree in STEM and 3 years of experience.
- Active DoD Secret Clearance
- Strong understanding of test engineering principles (verification vs validation, coverage, boundary conditions, negative testing).
- Experience with test case design techniques (equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, use cases, etc.).
- Experience with test automation and at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python, Bash).
- Ability to read and interpret requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and design specs.
- Familiarity with configuration management and version control (e.g., Git).
- Experience with API testing, UI testing, performance or security testing as needed
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with Linux operating systems.
- Proficiency in writing or executing SQL queries for data analysis or database management.
- Prior work with embedded systems, avionics, or defense systems.
- Familiarity with Model Based Systems Engineering Tools (MBSE)
- Knowledge of Agile development processes
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM with at least 5 years of experience, or a Master’s degree in STEM with at least 3 years of experience
- Active Department of Defense Secret clearance
- Strong understanding of test engineering principles, including verification, validation, coverage, boundary conditions, and negative testing
- Experience designing test cases using equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, and use cases
- Experience with test automation and at least one scripting or programming language, such as Python or Bash
- Ability to interpret requirements, interface control documents, and design specifications
- Familiarity with configuration management and version control, such as Git
- Experience with API testing, UI testing, performance testing, or security testing
- Experience working with Linux operating systems
- Proficiency writing or executing SQL queries for data analysis or database management
- Prior experience with embedded systems, avionics, or defense systems
- Familiarity with Model Based Systems Engineering tools
- Knowledge of Agile development processes
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.
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.





