Principal Systems Engineer - Fault Management

Salary: $114,000 - 213,400 per year Requirements:

• We require an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at the time of application.
• We are looking for a Bachelors degree with 5 years of professional experience, or a Masters degree with 3 years of professional experience, or a PhD with 1 year of professional experience for Level 3.
• We are looking for a Bachelors degree with 8 years of professional experience, or a Masters degree with 6 years of professional experience, or a PhD with 4 years of professional experience for Level 4.
• We require experience in systems engineering for mission-critical applications.
• We require mission and/or vehicle systems engineering experience.
• We require software coding or scripting experience.
• We prefer experience in failure analysis or fault management.
• We prefer experience defining requirements and interfaces.
• We prefer knowledge of spacecraft integration and test, launch, and mission operations.
• We prefer experience developing verification documentation.
• We prefer experience with architecture development.
• We prefer experience with spacecraft mission operations.
• We prefer familiarity with electrical and computer systems.
• We prefer familiarity with command and telemetry databases.

• We perform core systems engineering activities, including requirements synthesis and allocation, verification and validation planning, system trade study support, systems analysis, design coordination, and management of technical budgets and interface definitions.
• We apply these systems engineering practices in the context of fault management and system autonomy.
• We help shape the system design, define concepts of operations, and conduct systems analysis for failure modes and effects, including identification and mitigation through autonomous or operational controls.
• We design, implement, and validate Fault Management and System Autonomy flight software using flight-like simulations and flight hardware.
• We support spacecraft subsystem design, spacecraft testing, flight software best practices, and mission operations.
• We may assist with new business activities, including conceptual design and analysis for proposals and funded studies, and may help author proposal sections.
• We communicate complex technical ideas clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• We work as an individual contributor and deliverable/product lead within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

• Hardware
• Support
• Flow

More:

We are Northrop Grummans Space Sector and we are seeking a Pr./Sr Principal Systems Engineer Level 3 or Level 4 to join our team in Dulles, VA. This is a 100% onsite role with no telecommute option, and it follows a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off. Relocation assistance may be available. The role supports fault management and system autonomy for space systems. Salary ranges are provided for both levels, and our benefits may include health insurance, life and disability coverage, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, paid time off, and potential overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and long-term incentives depending on position. We are an equal opportunity employer, and the posting notes that U.S. citizenship is required for positions with government clearance and certain restricted roles.

last updated 36 week of 2026