Sr Principal Engineer Electronics (Level 4)

Posted Yesterday
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San Diego, CA, USA
In-Office
114K-171K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Leads electronics engineering and ground-segment hardware and software integration for the RQ-4B program. Responsibilities include diagnosing anomalies, coordinating suppliers and cross-functional teams, managing integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, documentation, audits, and deficiency investigations. The role serves as the technical interface for ground-segment updates, reports supplier status to leadership, and supports complex enterprise and fielded configurations. Travel up to 25% is required, along with an active DoD Secret clearance and ability to obtain Top Secret.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Staff Electronics Engineer – Hardware and ground segment Integration Lead to join our team in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA. This position will support the RQ- 4B program.

This candidate will be responsible for supporting the ground system Under the USAF TEAM supporting the Mission Systems Ground Segment Control Integrated (IPT). She or he will demonstrate the capability to independently diagnose, isolate, and resolve ground segment- related anomalies within the GHSC environment, without reliance on external engineering reach - back ensuring minimal operational downtime and sustained mission readiness. While also providing cross- enterprise troubleshooting support to NATO engineering teams to resolve complex integration issues impacting lab, enterprise, and fielded configurations. Acting as a technical bridge across organizations to ensure hardware and software, and infrastructure baselines.

This candidate will be the technical lead and primary interface for the Ground Segment Control supporting deficiency investigations, development, integration, testing, and sustainment artifacts for updates to the system with a major Hardware and software supplier.


Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • • Coordinating the efforts of the Hardware supplier for software programs and efforts and seeing projects through from start to finish.
  • • Coordinate with the subcontracts management team, systems engineering, supplier quality assurance representatives, safety engineers, cyber team, test team, logistics engineers, cost account manager, and scheduler.
  • • Monitor and advise on critical dependencies intercedences for Ground segment and implementation integration
  • • Coordinating and managing the execution of all phases of Ground Segment and minor software integration performance, including planning, new capability development, testing, deliveries, deployment, and sustainment.
  • • Reviewing supplier and hardware and software product documentation
  • • Reporting hardware upgrades and software supplier status to upper management
  • The selected candidate should thrive working in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, engaged in significantly diverse assignments, within a collaborative/team setting across all levels of the organization. This position requires excellent communication skills to manage the Ground Segment Control hardware and software updates and ensure all design, development, and artifacts are correct.
  • Once in the role, this position could offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion. This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

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 with 4 years of related engineering experience.
  • Must have experience with software development, integration, and testing to include Agile, JIRA, Confluence programs
  • Must have experience with programming and scripting languages is required but other associate skills can work
  • Must have experience working with aerospace Ground System architecture
  • Must have experience in creating Engineering Drawings
  • Familiarity with full hardware integration and Software Development Life Cycles
  • Must have familiarity with Prime and supplier hardware and ground Segment Control proposal development including technical evaluations of supplier proposals.
  • Must have Experience in conducting system audits
  • Must have an active DoD Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience managing hardware and Software related issues with supplier-based interaction as part of a Government/DOD contract
  • Experience with government acquisition related to hardware and software development, and sustainment activities
  • CAM/EV experience is beneficial

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

The 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 in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience, or master's degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years
  • Experience with software development, integration, and testing using Agile, JIRA, and Confluence
  • Experience with programming and scripting languages
  • Experience with aerospace ground system architecture
  • Experience creating engineering drawings
  • Familiarity with full hardware integration and software development life cycles
  • Familiarity with prime and supplier hardware and ground segment control proposal development, including technical evaluations
  • Experience conducting system audits
  • Active DoD Secret clearance with a qualifying background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
  • Experience managing hardware and software issues involving suppliers under a government or DoD contract
  • Experience with government acquisition involving hardware and software development and sustainment
  • CAM/EV experience

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

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