Job Description:
Northrop Grumman is seeking a highly experienced and technically authoritative Electrical Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and implementation of Command and Data Handling (C&DH) systems for advanced spacecraft platforms. You will be responsible for the Electrical System design, architecture, and the required avionics that control the spacecraft's functions, manage data flows, both internal and with external systems, storing data, receive commands and transmits data to ground station(s) or other satellites. This role operates at the senior principal level and is responsible for driving system-level electrical design across flight hardware, ensuring robust, reliable, and scalable data and control architectures.
This individual will serve as a key technical leader, influencing cross-disciplinary teams spanning avionics, software, guidance/navigation/control (GNC), and mission operations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead the end-to-end architecture of spacecraft Command & Data Handling systems, including data buses, processing units, and system interfaces.
Define and own electrical system architecture, ensuring alignment across C&DH, electrical subsystems, and harness design
Drive design and integration of:
Flight computers and embedded processing systems
Data buses (e.g., SpaceWire, CAN, Ethernet, RS-422/485)
Telemetry, command, and fault management systems
Establish and maintain system-level requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and verification strategies
Oversee hardware/software integration, ensuring seamless interaction between flight software and electrical systems
Perform electrical interface compatibility verifications and verify electrical connectivity implementation (e.g. verify electrical harness implementation, safety-critical circuit segregation, support peer-reviews).
Guide and review harness architecture and implementation, ensuring reliability, manufacturability, and maintainability
Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.) and support mission readiness activities
Mentor junior engineers and act as a technical authority across multiple programs
Manage hardware command and telemetry implementation (e.g. develop and coordinate calibration and conversion curves for analog telemetry in coordination subsystem engineers, verify electrical/software implementation).
Identify Electrical Systems and C&DH risks, develop risk mitigation plans for selected risks, and implement mitigations.
Interfacing with design and manufacturing groups to monitor component production process/progress to include Integration & Test (I&T) and relaying that status to management along with potential solutions to stay on target.
Provide technical oversight to ensure the C&DH electrical system is compliant and verifiable at the avionics digital and analog telemetry level.
Lead the costing & scheduling development for the C&DH subsystem on major programs from initial RFP efforts through end of program life. Develop cost estimates for proposals and programs as required.
Candidate must be comfortable with managing program execution from a technical perspective, meeting deadlines, working on multiple projects concurrently, and working with various engineering disciplines and internal/external customers as required.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a STEM area (preferably Electrical Engineering) and 8 Years of related experience; 6 Years related experience with Masters; 4 Years of related experience with PhD.
Technical experience in Electrical Systems or C&DH subsystem Engineering
Experience with flight hardware development, including Material Review Boards (MRB), Parts, Materials & Processes (PM&P), procurement, assembly documentation, and End Item Data Packages (EIDP)
Ability to obtain a TS Clearance with the ability to obtain SCI
Hands-on mentality and a passion for fast-paced environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience leading teams of engineers managing resources and schedules
Experience with requirements tracking tool such as DOORS or CAMEO
Digital design experience (MBSE)
Experience developing FPGAs
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and creating variance reports
Active TS and/or SCI
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Primary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The 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 or higher in a STEM field, preferably Electrical Engineering
- 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a master’s degree, or 4 years with a PhD
- Technical experience in Electrical Systems or Command and Data Handling subsystem engineering
- Experience with flight hardware development, including Material Review Boards, Parts Materials and Processes, procurement, assembly documentation, and End Item Data Packages
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility
- Experience leading engineering teams and managing resources and schedules
- Experience with requirements tracking tools such as DOORS or CAMEO
- Digital design experience using Model-Based Systems Engineering
- Experience developing FPGAs
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with Earned Value Management and creating variance reports
- Active Top Secret and/or SCI clearance
- Hands-on mentality and ability to work in fast-paced environments
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.
