Principal Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company that has been a pioneering force in revolutionary systems impacting the world for generations. With a legacy rooted in significant technological achievements, such as the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, the development of stealth technology, and the historic moon landing, Northrop Grumman continues to drive innovation in the defense sector. The company is committed to fostering a culture that thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, bold ideas, and a pioneering spirit. Employees at Northrop Grumman have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge systems that make a tangible impact on global security and technological progress, contributing not only to national defense but also to the advancement of science and technology worldwide.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, a key division within the company, is currently seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join their team in San Diego, California. This full-time, on-site role requires a security clearance at the Top Secret level and involves approximately 10 to 25 percent travel. The position offers a competitive salary range of $114,000 to $171,000 annually, reflecting the candidate's experience, education, and skills, along with other compensation elements such as potential overtime, shift differentials, and discretionary bonuses.

The Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems plays a vital role within the Systems Engineering organization, working within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) construct. This role requires an individual who is a self-starter, capable of leading and collaborating effectively with a diverse team of engineers and stakeholders. Responsibilities include supporting system requirements reviews (SRR), preliminary design reviews (PDR), and critical design reviews (CDR) of new development projects. The engineer will be tasked with developing system designs, ensuring end-to-end traceability, performing detailed data analyses, verifying interfaces, and resolving failures or anomalies.

A prominent aspect of the role is the ability to independently develop automation methods to streamline processes and documentation related to design and testing activities. The engineer will also be responsible for producing technical artifacts that support design reviews, systems integration, verification, and validation phases. Strong communication skills are essential, as the position involves preparing and delivering presentations for engineering design reviews, hosting and participating in working groups and review board meetings, and providing technical approvals.

The candidate must demonstrate leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively coordinate efforts across multiple IPTs and engage with external customers. The role also involves supporting the decomposition of requirements, updating documentation, and soliciting stakeholder feedback to refine lower-level requirements. Critical thinking and robust verbal and written communication skills are necessary to succeed in this dynamic, high-stakes environment.

This position requires that the selected candidate work on-site in San Diego with no remote or telework options available, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration for sensitive and complex systems engineering tasks. Northrop Grumman offers an attractive 9/80 work schedule, granting every other Friday off, as well as numerous learning opportunities and a supportive team atmosphere that fosters professional growth.

Basic qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field plus five years of relevant professional or military experience, or a Master’s degree with three years of experience, or a PhD with at least one year of experience. Candidates must have experience supporting key systems engineering milestones, including SRR, PDR, and CDR, and possess expertise in developing and applying interface control artifacts and requirements for large systems. Active Top Secret clearance with a recent investigation or continuous evaluation enrollment is mandatory, along with the ability to obtain a Special Access Program (SAP) clearance as needed.

Preferred qualifications highlight candidates with current SAP clearance, capabilities in identifying architecture defects, and experience with the full systems engineering lifecycle including requirements decomposition and coordinated verification. Ideal candidates may hold engineering degrees in systems, mechanical, electrical, aerospace engineering, or engineering physics and have prior experience working on military aircraft or spacecraft systems. Additional experience in business development and proposal support, system architecture, concept of operations, and interface control document development is also valuable.

Northrop Grumman is an equal opportunity employer that fosters an inclusive work environment, making hiring decisions without regard to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. U.S. citizenship is a requirement due to the nature of the work involving government clearance. Employees benefit from comprehensive health insurance, life and disability coverage, savings plans, paid time off, and more, ensuring a balanced and rewarding career in one of the world's leading aerospace and defense firms.