Sr. Principal Systems Engineer / IPT Lead

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Uncleared

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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.

Join Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) sector. 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.

We are looking for you to join our team as the Sr. Principal Systems Engineer/Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead located in Chantilly, Virginia to focus on the technical direction across the entire SIDE Operating Unit.

We are looking for a cleared, uniquely qualified mission oriented, individual with background and hands-on experience with electronics, RF Engineering, Electronic System design, integration, and maintenance, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), or Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.

You will be part of a highly dynamic program team that provides both engineering and field technical support services to a DoD customer.  The ideal candidate will be comfortable providing proactive leadership on engineering initiatives, owning technical solutions from concept through delivery. You will be expected to perform both independently and as part of a fast-moving team to design, document, build, test, troubleshoot and repair electronic or radio products as required by the customer and the program. Furthermore, in this role as the IPT Lead Sr. Principal Systems Engineer, you will partner with the Chief Engineer to develop and maintain project schedules, track milestones, and coordinate resources across multidisciplinary teams. This will include leading technical briefings and reviews with DoD customers, translating complex RF/SIGINT/EW concepts into clear, actionable information. You will also be looked to mentor junior engineers and technicians, fostering a collaborative environment focused on high‑quality documentation and rigorous analysis.

Practical hands-on experience with electronic/electrical/RF design tools, software, test/measurement devices, and troubleshooting/repair skills are a must.  Most designed products will be for airborne applications and must meet or exceed technical requirements for manned or unmanned aircraft operations. The engineer will design and deliver highly technical professional implementation of NGMS products, as well as customer furnished equipment (CFE), to solve customer problems with a focus toward real-time mission support.  Support will include field testing of selected equipment and software. The engineer must be able to work with minimal supervision and support. The position requires excellent oral and written communications skills; strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills; and proficiency with various types of test equipment and design/diagnostic software packages. 

Candidates must be able to communicate concisely and effectively with all levels of program personnel and customers using verbal and/or written communications.  Candidates will author, distribute and maintain formal and informal reports on all activities.  Candidates must be highly motivated, self-starters with excellent teamwork and communications skills.  Candidates must always maintain a highly professional demeanor and a positive mental attitude.  The program can be a high pressure, no-fail, highly dynamic, rapidly changing, and challenging work environment.

Travel is estimated at 10% to CONUS locations as required.  Candidates must be willing to work extended hours, nights and weekends during mission critical time periods.

Position is located in Chantilly, VA. 

Basic qualifications include:

• Must have a minimum Bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent STEM related discipline.
• 8 years of experience with Bachelors in Science; 6 years of experience with Masters; 4 years of experience with PhD

• US citizenship is required with the ability to obtain a government Security clearance

• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering across the lifecycle (requirements, architecture, design, integration, and test).

• Design and development of electronic systems and/or software

• Solid understanding of RF theory and antenna design

• Solid understanding of serial and Ethernet communication protocols

• Knowledge of software radio, digital signal processing, embedded electronic systems

• Experience with INS and GPS concepts

• Experience with Windows and Linux OS

• Develop SE artifacts such as CONOPS, ICDs (with detailed electrical and signal interfaces), verification cross reference matrices, and system-level documentation

• Identify, manage, and communicate technical risks and opportunities, including development of mitigation plans, particularly around electrical performance, EMI/EMC, and power margins

• Support program management with estimates to complete (ETC), basis of estimates (BOEs), schedule inputs, and cost/schedule performance

• Interface with customers and internal leadership, presenting technical status, plans, and issues in a clear and concise manner

• Mentor and guide junior engineers in systems and electrical engineering best practices and processes

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance

• Experience in EW and/or SIGINT systems integration

• Experience with network design and architecture

• Technical knowledge of modern communications signal sets

• Experience with Digital Signal Processing design / integration

• Experience with CISCO routers, switches and software

• Experience of TCP/IP networking over satellite communications

• Experience with UAV and/or manned ISR/SIGINT/EW payload design and integration

• Experience performing OCONUS/CONUS mission maintenance field support

• Knowledge of DoD IA requirements
• Knowledge of 3-D Mechanical and Thermal design (SolidWorks)

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.