Sr. Principal Mission Systems Electronics Engineer (Project Talon)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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 Aeronautics Systems seeks a Sr. Principal Mission Systems Electronics Engineer for the Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) team in El Segundo, CA or San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA .

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is NO remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Role Overview:

• Responsible for designing mission systems technical baselines (subsystems, components, software) to meet platform requirements.

• Lead trade studies, technical analysis, modeling & simulation, risk/opportunity management, and support strategic objectives.

• Decompose system-level requirements, track/report metrics, and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, peers, and leadership.

Key Responsibilities :

• Mission system element design, capability assessment, interface decomposition, verification/validation planning, and mission integration during development

• Advise programs as subject matter expert, mentor junior engineers, conduct independent reviews of milestones and technical work products

• Support technical business development (proposals, white papers)

• Oversee technical activities within Mission Systems IPT, ensuring sound engineering processes

• Engage customers/end users to translate requirements into deployable products

• Perform subsystem trades, analysis of alternatives, modeling, and simulation for mission effects, data, or capabilities (including air vehicles, payloads, ground segments, mission planning, CONOPS, DRM, system security, and interfaces)

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 4 years of related engineering experience.

• Experience supporting Supplier SSOW, SRD, and scope discussions

• Engineering experience on a DoD program

• Significant experience in at least two of the following:

  • Technical leadership on DoD development projects

  • System architecture concepts/solutions

  • Performance modeling & simulation

  • Designing systems with COTS/GOTS components for DoD interoperability RF or EO/IR systems for sensing, EW, or communications Non-kinetic effects (cyber operations) DoD cyber requirements, RMF, and solutions

  • Identifying/managing system capabilities, producing architecture artifacts

  • Preparing/reviewing architecture designs and presenting at DoD customer reviews

• Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated Secret clearance (DoD must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any Special Program Access (es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance

• Prior SAP or SCI clearance

• Significant architecture, design, integration, and test experience

• Systems engineering experience (requirements derivation/flow-down, verification/validation)

• Experience leading design of mission systems/subsystems

• Experience across product lifecycles (R&D, development, production, sustainment)

• Demonstrated success as an engineering leader over large teams

• Exceptional communication skills

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.