Description
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.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has an opening for a Staff Engineer Systems Test role (level 5) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in San Diego, CA.
In this role, success comes with being a self-starter with experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment and partnering with engineering, cybersecurity, program, and stakeholder teams to support program execution across Development and Sustainment activities.
Roles and Responsibilities include:
- Support Development and Sustainment programs by identifying systems test engineering risks and supporting the design, development, integration, test, and verification of system solutions.
- Engage customer counterparts and internal stakeholders to drive improvements to the total system architecture.
- Support test requirements management activities, including review of verification and validation plans.
- Coordinate with systems engineering, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders to support systems test engineering execution across the system lifecycle.
- Support preparation and presentation of systems test engineering materials for program reviews, working groups, and stakeholder discussions.
- Apply systems thinking to evaluate impacts across system architecture, operational constraints, and mission needs.
- Support process improvement efforts that strengthen engineering execution, traceability, planning, and closure discipline.
- Support the SEIT Lead, IPT lead, and Chief Engineer with planning, execution, and closing out program reviews and milestones.
- Support the Chief Engineer with collection and management of key systems engineering metrics and Technical Performance Measures.
- Continually coordinate between engineering leads to ensure the integrity and executability of the program technical baseline, including identification of technical debt and coordination of system/product componentry integration across the product teams.
This role requires full-time onsite work at the Rancho Carmel, CA facility. There is no remote, hybrid, or telework availability for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required in support of program needs.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) 12 Years with BS; 10 Years with Masters; 8 Years with PhD
- Must have experience in one or more Systems Test Engineering areas such as system design development, verification and validation, requirements management, requirements verification, or system lifecycle execution.
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Ability to work 100% on-site full-time in San Diego, CA
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders.
- Experience in Agile process
- Experience with risk and opportunity management
- Familiarity with DOORS or Cameo
- Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management
- Experience in cybersecurity vulnerability management
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field with 12 years of experience, or a master's degree with 10 years, or a PhD with 8 years
- Experience in systems test engineering, including system design and development, verification and validation, requirements management, requirements verification, or system lifecycle execution
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with a background investigation completed within the last six years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to work 100% onsite full-time in San Diego, California
- Experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration and test, configuration management, and program stakeholders
- Experience with Agile processes
- Experience with risk and opportunity management
- Familiarity with DOORS or Cameo
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface with employees and management at all levels
- Experience in cybersecurity vulnerability management
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.







