Principal Systems Engineer / Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Integration & Test
The Engineering and Sciences organization (E&S) pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered by providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) division is seeking Systems Integration & Test Engineers (Level 3 or Level 4) in Baltimore, MD to support test and verification activities of RF sensor systems. What you’ll get to do: As the lead developer of radars, COMMS, and SIGINT for some of the most advanced systems in the U.S. arsenal, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a world leader in advanced sensor systems and design. These include airborne RADARs for fighter jets & UAVs including F-22, F-35, F-16, Global Hawk (Triton), and Gray Eagle (STARLite), airborne surveillance RADARs for AWACS and E-7 (MESA), and ground and maritime RADARs including G/ATOR and SEWIP.
What You’ll get to do :
Qualified Systems Integration, Test & Evaluation (SITE) engineers will perform hands-on integration and testing of sophisticated RF sensor systems, including both hardware and software components in development and production environments; Synthesize internal and external customer needs and requirements into system tests that acknowledge technical and schedule constraints; Participate in the development and execution of comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules for verifying system requirements; participate in I&T readiness reviews, design reviews and conducts audits of I&T program facilities; Coordinate integrated testing activities that may include environmental, reliability and the occasional flight test; Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program; Perform analysis of test results and prepares comprehensive reports; Use modeling and simulation tools to expedite testing of individual units before all system components are available and for troubleshooting and repair of failed units.
Integration, troubleshooting, and testing RF sensor systems
Support integration environment development and establishment (Labs)
Collaborate with software, firmware, and hardware teams to understand expected unit level and system level behavior to define test cases and define & develop test capabilities that exercise and stress respective software and hardware capabilities.
Collaborate with software, firmware, and hardware subject matter experts to ensure testing produces expected data points.
Support the development and maintenance of system integration plans and system test plans.
This position will be onsite full-time in Baltimore, MD
This requisition may be filled as a Principal Systems Engineer or a Senior Principal Systems Engineer.
This position is contingent upon the successful transfer of an active U.S Government Secret Clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Systems Engineer:
Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, Master's degree with 3 years of experience or Ph.D. with 1 year of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
U.S Citizenship is required
A current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
Experience with RF lab test equipment: i.e. signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc.
Experience troubleshooting and resolving HW/SW/FW integration problems
Experience coding in MATLAB to support coding, test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing
Experience working a system bench, running acceptance test plans, writing test reports, troubleshooting hardware and software, communicating status updates.
Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer:
Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience, Master's degree with 6 years of experience or Ph.D. with 4 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
U.S Citizenship is required
A current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
Experience with RF lab test equipment: i.e. signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc.
Experience troubleshooting and resolving HW/SW/FW integration problems
Experience coding in MATLAB to support coding, test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing
Experience working a system bench, running acceptance test plans, writing test reports, troubleshooting hardware and software, communicating status updates.
Preferred Qualifications:
Active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance or higher
Previous experience working on a Special Access Program
Knowledge integrating and testing software written in C, C++.
Knowledge of RADAR Systems
Knowledge of firmware and hardware control integration planning and execution
Knowledge of embedded systems design and implementation
Experience developing scripts in python to automate manual processes.
Understanding of Systems Engineering concepts, including requirements analysis and verification planning and execution
Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
Solid verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate internally
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.
Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.
Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The 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's degree with 5 years experience, Master's with 3 years, or Ph.D. with 1 year in STEM (or additional 4 years experience in lieu of degree).
- (Senior Principal) Bachelor's degree with 8 years experience, Master's with 6 years, or Ph.D. with 4 years in STEM (or additional 4 years experience in lieu of degree).
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
- Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
- Experience with RF lab test equipment (signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer).
- Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware/software/firmware integration problems.
- Experience coding in MATLAB for test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing.
- Experience working a system bench, running acceptance test plans, writing test reports, and communicating status updates.
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.








