Skip to content

Senior Principal Network Engineer

San Diego, California, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 Senior Principal Network Engineer to our team in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA.

This position will contribute to the overall development of Mission System Network solutions, including developing functional architecture, analyzing performance, developing and managing requirements and interfaces, and verifying/validating all allocated requirements. The selected engineer will perform as a member of an interdisciplinary team in a key effort to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems.

The Senior Principal Network Engineer in this role will be responsible for:

  • Interpreting, allocating, tailoring, writing, and flowing down requirements to all levels of a system architecture
  • Designing and developing network architecture, performing network hardware and software integration and testing, and analyzing requirements
  • Conducting trade studies, documenting subsystem architectures, analyzing performance, and evaluating Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
  • Documenting designs using detailed schematics, diagrams, and specifications
  • Collaborating with engineers and program stakeholders to integrate network solutions

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility.  Once established in role, the position could potentially offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion. This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

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.
  • Demonstrated experience with Cisco IOS, IP4 network design, including IP subnetting and dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF or EIGRP
  • Demonstrated experience with configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco routers and switches with Cisco IOS
  • Basic understanding of advanced network topics, such as DMVPN/GRE/IPSEC tunnels
  • Experience with network defense systems (e.g. firewalls, ACL, IDS, IPS)
  • Familiarity with Windows and Linux network configurations
  • Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security or Security+CE
  • Active DoD Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), or Security +
  • Experience with software defined networks (e.g. Cisco SDWAN)
  • Experience with network simulations (Cisco Modeling Lab or GNS3)
  • Working knowledge of tactical wireless communications technologies (e.g. LOS, BLOS)

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

Go to company profile