Principal Systems Engineer

Senior Principal Optical Payload Systems EngineerRELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription 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 Space Systems is seeking a Senior Principal Optical Payload Systems Engineer to join our team in Redondo Beach, California. This role focuses on advancing space systems through comprehensive systems engineering efforts. The Senior Principal Optical Payload Systems Engineer will contribute to architecture trade studies, system design analysis, and performance modeling through advanced simulations. In this capacity, you will define and manage requirements, develop segment interfaces, and leverage cutting-edge technologies in optical sensing, communications, directed energy, RF systems, digital hardware, and microelectronics. Key responsibilities span the complete product development lifecycle, including:Supporting new business acquisition and IRAD/technology development initiatives.Defining system architectures, conducting trade studies, and developing specifications.Allocating and validating requirements and contributing to payload performance analysis.Designing modeling and simulation tools for system-level performance evaluation.Leading payload hardware development for space and ground systems integration.Managing subcontractor performance, hardware manufacturing, and integration processes.By joining this team, you'll play a critical role in delivering advanced integrated hardware and software systems that enable missions spanning Earth and beyond. If you have the pioneering spirit and technical expertise to develop groundbreaking systems, we invite you to help define the future of space exploration and innovation.This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) along with acquiring and maintaining customer and/or business funding. Furthermore, 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. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance of the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future. Essential experience in one or more of the following areas:Overhead Infrared (OPIR) systemElectro-OpticsSensor designRemote sensingHigh energy laser systemsLasercom systemsSpacecraft system designImage processingRF and digital hardware designSignal detection and estimationControl SystemsStructures/DynamicsBasic Qualifications:Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 8+ years of engineering experience OR a Masters of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 6+ years of engineering experience OR a Phd in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 4+ years of engineering experiencePossesses strong leadership qualities, as well as strong verbal and written communication skillsExperience designing, integrating, testing and operating optical and/or RF systemsMust have active DoD Top Secret AND the ability and willingness to obtain SCI clearance at time of application.Preferred Qualifications:Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computer ScienceExperience with remote sensing, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), communications or directed energyCandidates have completed relevant coursework in optics, control systems, remote sensing, lasercom and/or DSPExperience with baseband and EO/IR sensors, high energy lasers, and/or remote sensing applicationsActive TS with SCI clearance at time of application.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. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance of the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.