Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr Principal Electronics Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals at our Rancho Bernardo, CA.
The selected candidate will coordinate the engineering activities associated with a mission management, data recording, and data center system capability. The successful candidate must have a background in the concepts and implementation of Mission Management and Data Recording Systems, and storage servers. This position will be required to support program planning, mission management requirements, system verification, and to support program milestone planning, reviews, and execution. The position is expected to provide leadership for verification materials, SW implementations, updates for ICDs, specifications and coordinating with system test team activities.
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 relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
The candidate must have a deep and diverse background in aviation payloads systems and sub-systems
Payload integration and software interfacing expertise
Experience with military specs and standards
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:
Excellent presentation and computer skills including MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint. •
Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Able to communicate effectively with design engineers and work closely with other aerospace specialties, software and product support
Willing to support a dynamic work schedule, willing to travel to potentially remote locations, and frequently respond to pressing needs on short notice.
Active USG Top Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Substantial experience working with a team across the following disciplines; requirements development, concept of operations, air vehicle design, mission systems, flight systems, manufacturing, and operations
A degree in Electrical Systems/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or Physics.
Prior field engineer, mission or maintenance engineering support experience
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 8 years related experience OR Master's with 6 years OR PhD with 4 years
- Deep and diverse background in aviation payload systems and sub-systems
- Payload integration and software interfacing expertise
- Experience with military specifications and standards
- Active US Government Top-Secret Clearance (background 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
- Willingness and ability to work full-time on-site at the facility (no remote/hybrid)
- Willingness to travel up to 25%
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with government clearance)
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.






