Staff Systems Engineer - Lead

Posted 7 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
2 Locations
In-Office
177K-266K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Lead systems engineering across multiple defense R&D programs: define and verify requirements, drive architecture and design reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR), manage integration, testing, configuration and anomaly resolution, mentor teams, represent the program to customers, and champion process improvements across systems engineering disciplines.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Systems Engineering Lead (Staff Engineer Systems) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Systems Engineering organization. This role is located in El Segundo and Rancho Bernardo, CA. This position requires travel up to 25%.

In this role, you will lead across a portfolio of programs focused on all-domain information management. This team is part of the Research and Advanced Development division working on exciting new next generation technologies. You will have the ability to shape multiple efforts to bring systems engineering rigor, traceability, and architecture and design definition. You also must have excellent communication skills, the ability to build customer relationships and the ability to represent the team at customer meetings.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the technical authority and primary decision maker for all milestones, including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Critical Design Review (CDR).
  • Lead requirements development, decomposition and verification, use case development and analysis, system integration, configuration management, change integration, cybersecurity, EMI/EMC and System Safety.
  • Coordinating test planning, executing hardware and software verifications, managing data-collection efforts, analyzing results, and ensuring that technical deliverables meet performance, safety, and schedule objectives.
  • Write and deliver documentation, artifacts and presentations in support of program reviews and customer deliverables (CDRL).
  • Participate in technical exchange meetings, interfacing with customers (internal/external) and contributing to a broad range of program deliverables.
  • Drive and champion continuous process improvement across various Systems Engineering disciplines.
  • Provide technical guidance, leadership and mentorship to multi-disciplinary teams across Systems Engineering to ensure success of team members across all levels.
  • Lead technical anomaly resolution, including adjudication of findings to current and future builds, lead internal and external technical change/ review coordination, and manage the technical baseline of the program.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required, for both up-and-out communication to executive leadership and the customer, and for down-and-in detailed technical guidance to the program team

Basic Qualifications:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 12 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 10 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 8 years of related professional/military experience

  • Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain SCI within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
  • Must have experience executing Systems Engineering processes, including across the full Systems Engineering lifecycle: SRR, PDR, CDR, TIM/TEM, TRB, CCB
  • Must have experience briefing or leading technical discussions with outside stakeholders including other IPTs, customer representatives or supplier personnel
  • Must have experience in at least ONE of these fields: architectural studies, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, Interface Control Document (ICD) generation, hardware/software integration, test planning & execution and system sustainment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a STEM field
  • Current/active SCI
  • Experience in technical leadership as IPT/sub-IPT lead or technical/thread lead in systems engineering, vehicle engineering, avionics, software, electronics, or mission payloads
  • Experience in developing, preparing and defending proposal bids for technical programs, including Task Assessments, Basis of Estimates, and Tech Volumes
  • Demonstrated training proficiency
  • Experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Experience in system-level / hardware-in-the-loop integration/test
  • Demonstrated experience in Systems Engineering specialty disciplines (cybersecurity, safety, EMI or Human Factors)
  • Demonstrated championing of technical change that resulted in performance improvements and/or team efficiencies

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's in STEM + 12 years OR Master's in STEM + 10 years OR Ph.D. in STEM + 8 years of related professional/military experience
  • Active US Government Top Secret clearance (background investigation within last 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
  • Ability to obtain and maintain SCI within a reasonable amount of time
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time
  • Experience executing Systems Engineering processes across the full lifecycle (SRR, PDR, CDR, TIM/TEM, TRB, CCB)
  • Experience briefing or leading technical discussions with outside stakeholders including IPTs, customers, or suppliers
  • Experience in at least one: architectural studies, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, ICD generation, hardware/software integration, test planning & execution, or system sustainment
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for both executive-level and detailed technical communication
  • Willingness/ability to travel up to 25%
  • Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a STEM field
  • Current/active SCI
  • Experience in technical leadership as IPT/sub-IPT lead or technical/thread lead
  • Experience developing, preparing and defending proposal bids (Task Assessments, BOEs, Tech Volumes)
  • Demonstrated training proficiency
  • Experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Experience in system-level / hardware-in-the-loop integration and test
  • Demonstrated experience in Systems Engineering specialty disciplines (cybersecurity, safety, EMI or Human Factors)
  • Demonstrated championing of technical change that resulted in performance improvements or team efficiencies

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

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