Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join our Armament Systems team in Plymouth, Minnesota. This role is focused on Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and the development of system architectures for next‑generation armament systems.
Role Overview
The Systems Engineering function is at the forefront of program strategy, leading the creation, evolution, and maintenance of system architectures throughout the program lifecycle. In this role, you will:
- Develop System Architectures: Drive the design and implementation of system architectures for complex armament systems using MBSE principles and tools.
- Define Capabilities & Requirements: Capture and refine capabilities, performance requirements, and key technical attributes for systems of interest.
- Establish Design & Technology Constraints: Identify and document design constraints, technology maturity, and compliance drivers that align with customer specifications.
- Model External Interfaces: Develop comprehensive definitions and models of external interfaces to enable integration with other systems and subsystems.
- Shape Implementation & CONOPS: Help define implementation approaches and operational concepts, with a focus on usability, mission effectiveness, and interoperability.
- Support Verification & Validation: Collaborate with systems engineers, specialty engineers, and customers to verify requirements and assess system performance against mission needs.
This position is crucial to ensuring that armament systems are architected to meet demanding technical specifications and perform effectively in operational environments.
This position may be filled as a Principal Systems Engineer (Level 3) or Sr Principal Systems Engineer (Level 4) depending on the candidate’s education and years of experience.
Basic Qualifications – Principal Systems Engineer (Level 3)
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
- 5+ years of systems engineering experience, including Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and/or systems architecture, OR
Master’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline with typically 3+ years of experience - Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
- Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) and engineering data management tools
- Experience with Cameo System Modeler or Cameo Enterprise Architect
- Experience with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices
- Experience with Systems Modeling Language (SysML)
- Experience with the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)
Basic Qualifications – Sr Principal Systems Engineer (Level 4)
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
- 8+ years of systems engineering experience, including MBSE and/or systems architecture, OR
Master’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline with typically 7+ years of experience - Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
- Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) and engineering data management tools
- Experience with Cameo System Modeler or Cameo Enterprise Architect
- Experience with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices
- Experience with Systems Modeling Language (SysML)
- Experience with the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)
- Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and influencing architecture decisions across cross‑functional teams is highly desired.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Lifecycle Modeling and digital thread approaches across the system lifecycle
- Experience with MOSA/WOSA (Modular/Open Systems Architecture / Weapon Open Systems Architecture)
- Experience using Bitbucket, Confluence, and Jira for configuration management and collaboration
- Experience with Siemens PLM tools or other enterprise PLM solutions
- Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or data visualization in support of systems engineering and model analysis
- Industry experience in aerospace and defense or healthcare systems
- INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP/ESEP) or equivalent systems engineering certification
- Certification in a systems modeling language or MBSE methodology (e.g., SysML, UML, UAF certification)
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,000.00 - $163,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The 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 in an engineering or STEM discipline, or a qualifying master's degree
- 5+ years of systems engineering experience for Level 3, or 8+ years for Level 4
- For master's degree holders, typically 3+ years of experience for Level 3 or 7+ years for Level 4
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and/or systems architecture experience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
- Experience with product lifecycle management and engineering data management tools
- Experience with Cameo System Modeler or Cameo Enterprise Architect
- Experience with MBSE practices
- Experience with Systems Modeling Language (SysML)
- Experience with Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)
- Technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and influencing architecture decisions across cross-functional teams
- Experience with lifecycle modeling and digital thread approaches
- Experience with MOSA/WOSA
- Experience with Bitbucket, Confluence, and Jira
- Experience with Siemens PLM tools or other enterprise PLM solutions
- Experience using artificial intelligence or data visualization for systems engineering and model analysis
- Aerospace and defense or healthcare systems industry experience
- INCOSE CSEP/ESEP or equivalent systems engineering certification
- Certification in a systems modeling language or MBSE methodology, such as SysML, UML, or UAF
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.
