Skip to content

Systems Engineer: Software – Level 3/4

Chandler, Arizona, United States
Full Time On-site
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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 Space Systems is seeking a Systems Engineer – Level 3/4 with focus on Software, located in Chandler, Arizona.

The Software Systems Engineer serves as the primary bridge between the Systems Engineering and Software Engineering teams. The role requires a strong grasp of both system‑level and software‑level requirements, enabling the engineer to review, validate, and refine software specifications so they accurately reflect overarching system objectives.

This position is 100% on site in Chandler, AZ.

Key Responsibilities

Requirement Mapping

  • Translate system‑level requirements into clear, actionable software requirements.

  • Ensure traceability between system, software, and verification artifacts.

Requirement Review & Recommendation

  • Conduct thorough reviews of software requirement documents

  • Identify gaps, inconsistencies, or ambiguities and propose corrective actions.

Cross‑Team Collaboration

  • Facilitate communication between Systems Engineering and Software Engineering during requirement definition, design, and integration phases.

  • Organize and lead joint requirement‑review meetings, workshops, and change‑control sessions.

Verification & Validation Support

  • Work with test engineers to confirm that software implementations satisfy mapped system requirements.

  • Contribute to the development of verification plans and test cases.

This position may be offered at the Principal Level 3 or Sr. Principal Level 4.

Salary - Level 3 $98,400 - $147,600

Salary - Level 4 $122,800 - $184,200

Basic Qualifications Level 3

  • Requires BS in Engineering with a minimum of 5 years related experience or Masters Degree with 3 years of related experience.

Basic Qualifications Level 4

  • Requires BS in Engineering with a minimum of 8 years related experience or Masters Degree with 6 years of related experience.

Common Basic Qualifications:

  • U.S. Citizenship is required

  • Must have the ability to obtain a U.S. Government DoD security clearance

  • Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and author both system‑level and software‑level requirement documents.

  • Proficiency with requirement‑management tools (e.g., IBM DOORS)

  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a keen eye for detail.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of software development life‑cycle processes (Agile, V‑Model).

  • Willingness to work fast paced development programs

  • Ability to travel is required 

  • Experience leading within an IPT organization as a lead or a SME

  • Experience with Systems Engineering fundamentals such as requirements management, verification, and design review execution

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

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.

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