Systems / Principal Systems Engineer

Company Overview

At Northrop Grumman, employees work on revolutionary systems that impact lives worldwide and shape future generations. The company’s pioneering spirit has driven historic advancements—from the first trans‑Atlantic flight to stealth bombers and lunar landings. Northrop Grumman values intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work, fostering a culture where bold ideas and a pioneering spirit thrive. Employees contribute to missions across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace, receiving competitive pay and comprehensive benefits while growing their careers.

Position Details

Location: Chantilly, VA

Relocation assistance may be available.

Travel: Yes, approximately 10 % of the time.

Clearance required for start: No. Clearance type: Uncleared (candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required).

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team to design, integrate, enhance, and productionize solutions.
• Support assembly, test, and documentation for hardware components, software integration, and systems‑of‑systems.
• Interface and collaborate with customers, end users, operators, and field representatives.
• Develop comprehensive knowledge of system architecture and mission operations to communicate effectively upward and outward.
• Conduct Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPs), perform failure analysis, develop documentation, and support operations development.
• Develop and maintain requirements and participate in test events.

Basic Qualifications

Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent STEM discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree (or 0 years with a master’s, 0 years with a PhD).
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Strong interdisciplinary problem‑solving skills demonstrated through application of technical standards, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Proven success in test, design, and integration.
• Knowledge of RF and radio communication system components and functions.
• Experience with lab test equipment (function generator, oscilloscope, multimeter, spectrum analyzer, etc.).
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems, including command‑line proficiency.
• Experience with networking architecture and Cisco language.

Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent STEM discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree (or 3 years with a master’s, 1 year with a PhD).
• Strong interdisciplinary problem‑solving skills demonstrated through application of technical standards, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Proven success in test, design, and integration.
• Knowledge of RF and radio communication system components and functions.
• Experience with lab test equipment (function generator, oscilloscope, multimeter, spectrum analyzer, etc.).
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems, including command‑line proficiency.
• Experience with networking architecture and Cisco language.

Preferred Qualifications (Both Levels)

• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Experience in cable design and testing.
• Knowledge and experience with scripting for automation.
• Understanding of system architecture and SIGINT operations.
• Experience with Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPs) and failure analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in documentation and operational process development.
• Experience with schematic design tools (e.g., Mentor Graphics, Zuken).

Salary

• Primary (Systems Engineer) salary range: $91,800 – $137,600.
• Secondary (Principal Systems Engineer) salary range: $114,000 – $171,000.
• Base salary is determined by scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and market conditions. Eligible employees may receive overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and, for senior positions, long‑term incentives.