Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add Sr. Principal Electronics Communications Engineer. This position can be located in Palmdale, CA, El Segundo, CA, or Rancho Bernardo, CA supporting our Avionics Integration Organization.
The selected candidate will provide key engineering support for an electro-optical subsystem and will report directly to the subsystem engineering technical lead. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
Installation, integration, test and troubleshooting of HW and SW in the field
On-site lab and field support for test events
Develop updates to technical manuals
Coordination with ground HW, SW and networking teams to optimize subsystem performance
Definition of support equipment (SE) requirements and provide guidance to the SE design team
Perform sustaining engineering to maintain and improve hardware (HW), Software (SW), system maintainability/supportability, etc.
Support configuration management of the system’s HW and SW
Analysis of data for subsystem performance using MATLAB
Generation and presentation of reports on subsystem performance to management and customers
Resolution of squawks and other link anomalies
Develop and manage risks, issues and opportunities
Maintain baseline system documents, such as ICDs and specifications
Provide technical direction to suppliers as a member of the Supplier Management Team
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is NO remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. El Segundo, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA may require Travel up to 25% may be required. Palmdale, CA may require up to 10% travel.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
Experience with electro-optical, sensors and/or communications systems, including development, test, production, integration and/or operations
Familiarity with systems engineering processes at the sub-system, system and system-of-systems levels.
Must have an active US Government Top-Secret Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to obtain and maintain US Government SCI clearance
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Active USG Top Secret SCI clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 8 years related engineering experience; OR Master's in STEM and 6 years; OR PhD in STEM and 4 years
- Experience with electro-optical, sensors and/or communications systems (development, test, production, integration, operations)
- Familiarity with systems engineering processes at subsystem, system, and system-of-systems levels
- Must have an active US Government Top-Secret clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government SCI clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance as required
- On-site, full-time work at employer facility (no remote/hybrid) in designated CA locations
- Installation, integration, test and troubleshooting of hardware and software in lab and field environments
- Analysis of subsystem performance data using MATLAB and generation/presentation of technical reports
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.





