Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Thread & Communications Lead (Principal Systems Engineer) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located on the Rancho Bernardo campus in San Diego, CA and will be a hybrid work schedule with on-site work a minimum of two days per week. The selected candidate will be from a commutable distance from the work site. Reporting to TRMC System Engineering (SE) lead, the selected candidate will plan and coordinate integration activities to perform tasks in support of the TRMC program. This includes maintaining Internal and External Interface Control Documents (ICD/EICD), Risk Management and generating solutions found in defects.
The selected candidate will work closely with the TRMC System Engineering business area lead, to ensure the integrity of ICD/EICDs, performing critical updates and investigating defects as part of Defect Working Groups (DWG).
What you get to do:
• Work closely with TRMC SEIT lead to manage the process, tasks, and resources to support various program requests within the business area portfolio
• Demonstrate understanding of System Engineering principles such as defect analysis and resolution, development of risk mitigation plans, and analyzing ICD/EICDs for engineering rigor
• Coordinate with Program Stakeholders and IPTs to understand Communications thread and associated impacts to the program
• Manage and track all engineering ICD/EICD changes, their impact across all the program
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Engineer: 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's in STEM; 3 years of relevant experience with a Master's' in STEM; 0 years of relevant experience with a PhD
Experience directly executing multiple projects and performing Cross IPT Collaboration
Experience directly interacting with Customer counterparts
Ability to obtain/maintain DoD Secret clearance
Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
Active DoD Top Secret clearance
Experience in Autonomous Systems Programs
Familiarity Interface Control Documents
Experience working on program with concurrent Development, Production and Sustainment activities
Familiarity with Risk Management processes
#ASSystEng
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.
Educational assistance is available to employees who want to continue to learn and develop skills/knowledge.
Our educational assistance program supports employee development by providing resources such as:
Free Education Advice: Call 855-222-2398 to speak with an experienced advisor to tailor an educational program to your career goals and needs.
Tuition Savings at Accredited Schools: Access a network of accredited schools in a variety of locations (and online) to take advantage of reduced tuition costs and waived fees.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in STEM with at least 3 years, or a PhD in STEM with 0 years
- Experience directly executing multiple projects
- Experience with cross-IPT collaboration
- Experience directly interacting with customer counterparts
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance
- Experience with autonomous systems programs
- Familiarity with Interface Control Documents
- Experience with programs involving concurrent development, production, and sustainment activities
- Familiarity with risk management processes
- Ability to work onsite at least two days per week from a commutable distance to Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, California
- U.S. citizenship for government-cleared positions
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.









