We are looking for you to join our team as a Sr Principal Systems Engineer based out of San Diego, CA. As a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
The Sr Principal Systems Engineer will act as a cross-IPT technical integrator working closely with peers and managers of other engineering disciplines, program managers, and IPT leads, with essential functions including:
Perform functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into specifications using DOORS
Develop systems architecture using Cameo Enterprise Architecture (behavioral, structural, analytical)
Ensure system requirements, architecture, and designs integrate with technical needs of the program.
Collaborate with program IPT counterparts to develop supporting systems engineering and design artifacts
Work with both technical teams and stakeholders to develop and mature architecture content of large programs design
Help develop and incorporate the appropriate requirements for the system and ensure that they are properly represented in the model
Develop unifying model techniques, procedures, and processes (for model development, tool integration, and team integration)
Participate in Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), and other program reviews and boards, as required
Communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings at technical and program reviews and boards.
Apply extensive technical expertise in the development of technical solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity.
Provide cross-IPT support for Capture efforts, contract documents (e.g. SSOW/SDRL/CDRL), and trade studies as required
Conduct integration activities in a dedicated lab environment, coordinating with customers
Operate, calibrate, and maintain a multi‑vendor lab environment (digital, fiber, 1394 bus systems)
Resolve integration issues in a proactive, self‑managed manner
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Systems, Software, or related STEM degree field with 8 years of experience; or 6 years experience with a Master's (MS) degree; or 4 years experience with a STEM PhD
Demonstrated communication and technical writing skills
Proven experience in the systems engineering process
Experience in system requirements development, management, analysis, verification, or validation
Must be a US Citizen
CLEARANCE: A current/active US Government Secret clearance.
Must currently have SAP or must be able to obtain and maintain SAP
Preferred Qualifications:
Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Engineering
Experience in the systems engineering process across the entire product lifecycle
An active DoD Top Secret clearance
Experience working on military / spacecraft systems
Experience with complex system development on large programs
Experience with MBSE, software design, or demonstrated ability to work with software-aided design tools
Experience in SysML or UPDM modeling languages
Experience working in a lab integration environment
INCOSE Participation or CSEP certification
Experience working in a lab integration environment
This position is contingent upon active clearance, ability to obtain and maintain SAP, and funding.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's in Systems, Software, or related STEM with 8 years experience; or Master's with 6 years; or STEM PhD with 4 years
- Demonstrated communication and technical writing skills
- Proven experience in the systems engineering process
- Experience in system requirements development, management, analysis, verification, or validation
- U.S. Citizenship
- Current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Must currently have SAP or be able to obtain and maintain SAP
- Engineering degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Computer Engineering
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance
- Experience working on military or spacecraft systems
- Experience with MBSE, software design, or software-aided design tools
- Experience in SysML or UPDM modeling languages
- Experience working in a lab integration environment
- INCOSE participation or CSEP certification
- Experience with complex system development on large programs and across full product lifecycle
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.
