We are seeking capable, talented, and motivated team-contributors at our Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows site. Our products range from advanced sensing technologies to state-of-the-art targeting and tracking systems that are deployed in Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) and Radio Frequency Electronic Warfare (RFEW) systems. These systems are designed, developed, built, integrated, and tested by the capable folks at our company to protect the lives of US and Allied warfighters in present and future conflicts. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today. If you are interested in being considered for inclusion on this team, we invite you to apply.
The Staff Chief Engineer owns responsibility for the technical direction of all engineering aspects on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing and delivery of any product to a customer. The Chief Engineer acts as both a technical leader for the engineering team as well as an independent advisor to the program manager. The Chief Engineer coordinates across all engineering disciplines on the program to ensure that the teams adhere to engineering processes in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards.
This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL location.
This position is contingent upon funding/contract award, special access program, and acquiring and maintaining the necessary U.S. Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.
Basic Qualifications for Staff Chief Engineer:
BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Physics or other STEM field with 12+ years of related experience, MS degree in STEM field with 10+ years of related experience, or PhD in STEM field with 8+ years of related experience
5+ years of related engineering experience working in an engineering organization at a defense contractor during EMD and/or LRIP phases
Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
Experience in creating and delivering technical presentations to internal and external leadership
Experience working collaboratively on complex projects that encompass hardware, software, and firmware
Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a U.S. Government Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start
U.S. Citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications for Staff Chief Engineer:
Experience in all aspects of the engineering process from proposal / requirements analysis through verification testing and fielding of systems
Experience in a Systems Engineering Integration & Test environment from one or more of the following specialty areas: EOIR systems, sensors, optics, antenna design, direction finding, geolocation, threat analysis
Experience decomposing requirements for DoD-based platforms or systems
Demonstrated expertise in SysML modeling and MBSE tools (e.g., IBM Rational DOORS, Enterprise Architect, Cameo). Ability to develop and maintain system models, traceability matrices, and verification cross‑reference artifacts
Experience in development and Earned Value Management (EVM) of cost accounts and schedules
Active U.S. Government Secret or Top-Secret security clearance
Skills Required
- BS in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Physics or other STEM with 12+ years, MS with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years of related experience
- 5+ years engineering experience at a defense contractor during EMD and/or LRIP phases
- Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Experience creating and delivering technical presentations to internal and external leadership
- Experience working collaboratively on complex projects encompassing hardware, software, and firmware
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance (minimum) prior to start
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Experience in all aspects of engineering from proposal/requirements analysis through verification testing and fielding of systems
- Experience in Systems Engineering Integration & Test (EOIR systems, sensors, optics, antenna design, direction finding, geolocation, threat analysis)
- Experience decomposing requirements for DoD-based platforms or systems
- Demonstrated expertise in SysML modeling and MBSE tools (IBM Rational DOORS, Enterprise Architect, Cameo) and maintaining traceability/verification artifacts
- Experience in development and Earned Value Management (EVM) of cost accounts and schedules
- Active U.S. Government Secret or Top-Secret security 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.








