Principal Systems Engineer

Posted:
1/12/2026, 4:55:10 AM

Location(s):
Nebraska, United States ⋅ Bellevue, Nebraska, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
IT & Security

Workplace Type:
On-site

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: No

Description

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 Defense Systems (NGDS), Bellevue, NE is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to work within the SNC2 organization and be a key contributor to define, manage, and implement site operations and maintenance (O&M). The successful candidates will demonstrate a broad skillset, balanced between interpersonal and technical capabilities. They will have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This role will be imbedded within USSTRATCOM’s Air Room and will work collaboratively across the MPAS environment to achieve the position’s duties. The candidates will work closely with software developers accomplishing the following:

  • Receive inputs from the customer on future capabilities needed, and help transform those inputs into software requirements. This will include eliciting additional inputs from the users to refine and clarify the needed functionality.
  • Collaborate with software designers and/or software engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of software systems
  • Assist in the installation, integration, and operationalization of software in MPAS environments.
  • Ensure the program complies with preventive and corrective maintenance database updates, data collection and reporting (quality, reliability and maintenance), personnel planning, etc.
  • Advise on issues/problems faced during maintenance activities.
  • Develop and/or use troubleshooting, monitoring, and reporting tools to analyze the root cause of serious and impactful technical issues.
  • Test new/existing capabilities of the targeting planning software and demonstrate those capabilities to the users.
  • Support during real-time operational and exercise events, as required.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience; 3 years with a Master's; 1 years with a PhD; An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance at time of application and eligible for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
  • 5+ years of experience in nuclear weapon targeting, design, and strategic employment
  • Ability to work onsite in USSTRATCOM’s Air Room
  • Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with small technical teams
  • Experience eliciting, documenting, and authoring emerging application requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Working knowledge of building and maintaining aimpoints for strategic employment utilizing the application N3
  • Familiarity with USSTRATCOM’s Enterprise Database (EDB)
  • Familiarity with MPAS applications and dataflow
  • Familiarity with maintenance, exercise, and adaptive planning for USSTRATCOM.
  • Ability to design training and testing scenarios
  • Experience with installation, integration, and deployment of new software releases within the MPAS environment
  • Security+ Certification
  • Experience with QF-Test automated testing

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

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.