Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems Sector is seeking a Sr. Principal Engineer (RQ-4 USAF CAM/Lead) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Product Support organization in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
What you get to do!
You are expected to be a highly motivated, resourceful, self-starter able to work collaboratively with internal teams and external customers in high-tempo environments. Under the direction and leadership of the RQ-4 Product Support Sub-IPT Lead and USAF Program Manager, the Product Support Integrator will work with RQ-4 Product Support Team to ensure quality lifecycle development and logistics products and services are executed in accordance with the Program Statement of Work (SOW) and are within budget, schedule constraints, and closure criteria.
You may lead internal and external Teammates/Suppliers to ensure Program Performance, cost/schedule and quality objectives are achieved in collaboration with the program team. This position may lead technical coordination between other non-Product Support Program IPTs. The Integrator will work with the Customer Program Offices, Program Leaders, and Product Support Functions to ensure program requirements defined by the SOW are achieved within budget, schedule, quality, and closure criteria.
The individual we seek will be self-motivated, proactive, goal-oriented to help us grow our services, become even better at what we do and will possess the following qualifications.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in STEM field and 8 years of relevant experience; 6 years with a Master's degree in STEM Field.
Demonstrated EVM skills including development, analysis, and control of program budgets, Estimate at Complete (EAC) analysis, Estimates to Complete (ETC)analysis, performance index assessment, and program variance analysis
At least 2 years of experience leading a project and/or driving performance against schedule
Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated US Government Secret clearance, and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience working with and manipulating detail-oriented data
Experience managing aspects of program execution including planning, baselining, and execution across multiple teams.
Previous experience managing a large, geographically dispersed team.
Ability to influence and drive results without direct authority of personnel
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
Active In-Scope Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance
Previous experience working Product Support efforts on development and/or sustainment programs.
Previous experience in Supportability Engineering, including Reliability and Maintainability, DMSMS, Prognostics & Health Management
Previous experience in Logistics or ILS (Integrated Logistics Support).
Previous experience with fleet operations and fleet support.
Strong skills in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
Previous experience working with the RQ-4 platform.
Previous U.S. Military experience with operations and/or aircraft maintenance background.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 8 years of relevant experience, or 6 years with a STEM master’s degree.
- Demonstrated Earned Value Management skills, including budget development, analysis, control, EAC, ETC, performance index, and variance analysis.
- At least 2 years of experience leading a project or driving performance against schedule.
- Ability to obtain, transfer, and maintain a final adjudicated U.S. Government Secret clearance and required program access.
- Experience working with and manipulating detail-oriented data.
- Experience managing program execution, including planning, baselining, and execution across multiple teams.
- Experience managing a large, geographically dispersed team.
- Ability to influence and drive results without direct personnel authority.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Active in-scope Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
- Experience supporting product support efforts on development or sustainment programs.
- Experience in supportability engineering, including reliability and maintainability, DMSMS, or Prognostics and Health Management.
- Experience in logistics or Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).
- Experience with fleet operations and fleet support.
- Strong skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
- Experience working with the RQ-4 platform.
- U.S. military experience in operations or aircraft maintenance.
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.







