Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr. Principal Electronics Communications Engineer to join our team in Palmdale, CA. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization and will support the development of new capabilities within the Air Dominance organization.
This candidate will work primarily as a part of our integrated development group, helping to ensure success of program execution, architecture development, requirements development, and supplier deliveries while continuing to drive efficiencies into our existing processes. The candidate will be responsible for:
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
Executing the technical baseline of the program including managing the appropriate suppliers to ensure requirements are met on time
Supporting the development program manager to manage the technical, cost, and schedule baselines for contractual development activities
Leading a team of cross-discipline engineers to accomplish technical objectives for the program
Working independently to proactively identify and address risks and issues; and bringing those items to appropriate engineering teams and program leadership
Providing oversight of program laboratories and aligning new capabilities into an enterprise system certification plan
Addressing and correcting deliverable subsystem performance concerns via program identified tools/systems on behalf of the program leadership team.
Identifying opportunities for cost and schedule improvement and working with engineering teams to implement in accordance with approved program process.
Providing hands-on support for risk reduction activities in our laboratory and production facilities
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. Travel up to 25% may be required.
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 working with Communications, Payloads, and Network subsystems
Experience integrating complex subsystems together, leveraging System Engineering best practices
Experience in working with operations community to gather feedback and requirements to ensure delivered systems are being effectively employed to meet customer needs
Experience briefing technical material in large group settings including design reviews, program management reviews, and internal executive briefings
A U.S. Citizen with Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance OR active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
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.
Network training/certifications (Network+, Security+, CCNA, etc.)
Experienced with antenna theory, modulation/encoding schemes, satellite communications, and tactical data links
Familiarity with common industry standards related to communications and network-based systems, such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, Ethernet (IPv4/IPv6)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years related engineering experience; OR Master's in STEM and 6 years; OR PhD in STEM and 4 years
- Experience working with Communications, Payloads, and Network subsystems
- Experience integrating complex subsystems leveraging Systems Engineering best practices
- Experience working with operations community to gather feedback and requirements
- Experience briefing technical material in large group settings (design reviews, program management reviews, executive briefings)
- U.S. Citizenship with active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance OR active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (background investigation within past 5 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Work full-time, on-site at Palmdale, CA (no remote/hybrid)
- Willingness to travel up to 25%
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Network training/certifications (Network+, Security+, CCNA, etc.)
- Experience with antenna theory, modulation/encoding schemes, satellite communications, and tactical data links
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, Ethernet (IPv4/IPv6)
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.





