Sr Principal Systems Engineer (Top Secret Required)

Posted:
3/1/2026, 10:01:35 PM

Location(s):
Virginia, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
IT & Security

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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’s Space Sector is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer Level 4 to join our team in Dulles, VA. The ideal candidate will be an engineering team leader to own the detailed design, manufacture and test of a new generation of space vehicle bus. The HW System Design and Assembly lead is responsible for oversight and direction of a team completing an assembly design and transitioning it into manufacturing and ultimately, delivery to a customer. This is an on-site position and does not support remote work.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

In this job, you will:

  • Oversight of engineering design completion, ensuring seamless cross functional coordination
  • Collaborating with stakeholders to identify open design and manufacturing issues and establishing and tracking closure plans
  • Leading regular team meetings, preparing and driving agenda and coordinating action items
  • Tracking design, assembly and manufacturing risks and coordinate development of mitigation plans. Work with SE personnel within program to capture risks and support risk manager in ensuring mitigation steps are executed in a timely manner
  • Oversee preparation for design and support manufacturing readiness reviews
  • Interface with and support manufacturing, assembly, integration and test personnel as they complete manufacturing and test procedures
  • Present HW design and assembly status and review materials to customer

 This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience OR Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience OR PhD with 4 years of professional experience
  • Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
  • Ability to lead a diverse team of subsystem leads and system engineers
  • Ability to develop and manage system interfaces to integrate multi-element systems
  • Knowledge and experience with satellite functions including attitude control, power management, thermal control, propulsion, command and data handling, flight and ground software.
  • Strong, demonstrated capability to work and lead autonomously
  • Ability to translate program objectives and customer requirements into system requirements

 Preferred Qualifications:  

  • Knowledge and experience with satellite functions to include attitude control, power management, thermal control, propulsion, command and data handling, flight and ground software.
  • Experience in space systems design, development, manufacture, or test, including technical or project leadership positions
  • Active or current TS/SCI Clearance

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

#NOVASPACE

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.