Sr. Staff Electronics Engineer – Payloads

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: 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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr. Staff Electronics Engineer - Payloads to join our team supporting the RQ-4 Global Hawk Program. This position is location in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

We are seeking a highly experienced Radar Payloads Subject Matter Expert to serve as the technical authority across contracts. The candidate will provide industry knowledge, drive innovation, improve field support, and mentor engineering talent while maintaining critical relationships with customers, suppliers, and government partners.

Key Responsibilities            

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the definitive expert on radar payloads, advising customers, suppliers, and integrated product teams (IPTs). 
• Coordinate inputs and secure buy-in from all stakeholders for design and support strategies. 
• Conveys complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. 

Problem Solving & Innovation

• Resolve complex sensor performance, stability, reliability, and repair-turn-around issues through root-cause analysis. 
• Develop alternative approaches that reduce field return rates and shorten repair cycles. 
• Design new support equipment, procedures, and processes to improve fault isolation, troubleshooting precision, accuracy, and efficiency. 

Testing & Development

• Direct troubleshooting test points and part removal strategies to support sustainment. 
• Review and define requirements for new payload capabilities and integration of supporting functions. 

Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing

• Mentor junior payload engineers and facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions. 
• Create and disseminate best-practice guides and technical materials for payload troubleshooting, sustainment, and development. 

Customer & Government Relations

• Act as the primary technical liaison for USAF, NATO, key partners and suppliers 
• Provide 24/7 real-time support via the Operations Support Center, answering calls and delivering troubleshooting dispositions for fielded systems. 
• Prepare and deliver technical and non-technical work products and presentations to senior leadership

Basic Qualifications  

• Bachelor of Science in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field and 14 years related engineering experience to include a background in radar payloads and related sensor systems, or Masters of Science in a STEM field and 12 years experience to include a background in radar payloads and related sensor systems or PhD in a STEM field and 9 years experience to include a background in radar payloads and related sensor systems. 
• Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance with a background investigation completed within the past 6 years or currently in a Continuous Evaluation (CE) process. 
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance 
• Prior clearance to SAP or SCI
• MPR-TIP sensor experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. 
• Track record of innovative solutions that improve system reliability and reduce field return rates.
• Experience across research & design, product development, production, and sustainment phases. 

Primary Level Salary Range: $192,800.00 - $289,200.00

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.