Principal Systems Engineer (Secret Clearance Required; Palmdale, CA)

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 Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Palmdale, CA.  

In this role the successful candidate will perform technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. This role ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.

Essential Functions:

- Complete understanding and wide application of Change integration and management principle, theories, and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines.

- Displays Technical and program review board leadership.  Provides technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with organization objectives. 

- Works under only general direction. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. Supports chief engineers in defect analysis and path forwards 

- Contributes to the completion of Change Proposal Development and Risk Management and Opportunity analysis.    

- Frequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts. Represents the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.

- Overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work will occasionally be required.

Basic Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of military/professional experience OR Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of military/professional experience OR PhD in a STEM discipline.

- Must have an active DoD Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation).

- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance (SAP) prior to start

- Formal training or basic knowledge and experience in Program/Program Management including Baseline Management, Program Change, Change Integration, Risk and Opportunity Management, and Risk Management Analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

-  Master’s degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university field or similar field with 3 years’ experience OR PhD with 0 years’ experience.

- Active, In-scope DoD Top Secret or SCI clearance.

- 3- 5 years Program/Project management experience including Change Management, Risk and Opportunity Management, Change Proposal processes.

- Advanced use and/or application of technical principles, theories, and concepts.

- Demonstrates the skill and ability to perform complex professional tasks.

- Develops recommended solutions to advanced technical problems as assigned.

- Minimum 3 years proven experience in one or more of the following:

- Aircraft Design

- Aircraft Avionics & Electrical Systems

- Aircraft Testing

- Excellent communication, analysis and problem solving skills and Strong interpersonal skills.

- Systems/Model Based Systems Engineering academic or work-related experience.

- Strong understanding of common SE processes and procedures.

- System Design behavior analysis academic or work-related experience.

- Provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough,  practicable, and consistent with organization objectives.

- Significant experience in the developmental/operational test maintenance environment.

- Frequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts.  Represents the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.

- Works under only general direction.  Independently determines and develops approach to solutions.  Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.

- Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and MS Project

Salary Range: $104,600 USD - $157,000 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.