Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU) has an exciting career opportunity for a Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be in Huntsville, AL.
Position Overview:
The selected Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 will work as a member of an Agile Scrum team performing Algorithm development and Analysis for the GMD Weapon System (GWS) Fire Control (GFC) product, you will be part of the team that develops new algorithms, improves old algorithms, and assesses the effectiveness and performance of them in the context of the GFC software (currently ~1.5 million lines of code) that controls the missile defense system that protects the United States from intercontinental ballistic missile attack.
Essential Functions:
- Work in a collaborative team environment to understand, implement, and assess new capabilities and algorithms.
- Perform algorithm development and analysis which are mathematics and physics based complex solutions that are critical to the performance of Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) mission.
The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/teams comprised of all experience levels.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Systems Engineer – Level 3 or a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4.
Basic Qualifications:
- Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Engineer – Leve 3: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 3 years of related work experience, or 1 year of related work experience with a PhD in STEM.
- Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 6 years of related work experience, or 4 years of related work experience with a PhD in STEM.
- Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: data analysis, performance analysis, and physics/Mathematics-based algorithm development
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical personnel
- High proficiency in technical problem solving
- Knowledge of MATLAB, Python or similar engineering tools used in prototyping complex algorithms
- Excellent interpersonal and team collaboration skills
- Proven track record of successfully integrating problem solutions into a larger system
- Extensive background in at least one of the following: Ballistic Missile Defense, midcourse missile defense, battle management, threat processing, weapon target assignment, target object map population
- Capable of performing assigned tasks with very little or no direction
- Well-developed skills in critical thinking and paying attention to detail
- Proven experience in developing, prototyping and evaluating complex algorithms
- Must be able to support an in-person / closed-area work environment
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs.
- Applicants must have a current active in-scope U.S. Government issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with the MDA GMD program.
- Advanced degree in Mathematics or Physics
- General understanding of any or all of the following algorithm domains: track processing, track reporting, discrimination, sensor resource management, resource utilization optimization, battlespace analysis
- Unix/Linux Operating System Experience
- Experience with optimization algorithms
- Experience with planning / scheduling algorithms
- Experience with sensor modeling, communication modeling, and / or missile modelling
- Battle Management or Fire Control experience
- Experienced with Linux, scripting, and operations
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in STEM with 5 years related experience (or Master's +3 years, or PhD +1 year) applicable to Level 3
- Bachelor's Degree in STEM with 8 years related experience (or Master's +6 years, or PhD +4 years) applicable to Level 4
- Demonstrated experience in data analysis, performance analysis, or physics/mathematics-based algorithm development
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly to technical and non-technical personnel
- High proficiency in technical problem solving
- Knowledge of MATLAB, Python, or similar engineering tools for prototyping complex algorithms
- Proven track record of integrating problem solutions into a larger system
- Extensive background in at least one: Ballistic Missile Defense, midcourse missile defense, battle management, threat processing, weapon target assignment, or target object map population
- Capable of performing assigned tasks with very little or no direction
- Well-developed critical thinking and strong attention to detail
- Proven experience developing, prototyping, and evaluating complex algorithms
- Must be able to support an in-person / closed-area work environment
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time
- Current active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application
- Experience with the MDA GMD program
- Advanced degree in Mathematics or Physics
- Understanding of algorithm domains: track processing, track reporting, discrimination, sensor resource management, resource utilization optimization, battlespace analysis
- Unix/Linux operating system experience and familiarity with Linux scripting/operations
- Experience with optimization algorithms and planning/scheduling algorithms
- Experience with sensor modeling, communication modeling, and/or missile modeling
- Battle Management or Fire Control experience
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.






