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Sr Principal System Engineer – Integration & Test

Redondo Beach, California, United States
Full Time On-site
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

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’s Space Systems Sector is seeking Sr Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4 to join our team in Redondo Beach, CA.

 

In this role, the Sr Principal Systems Engineer will support factory (DT&E1) testing and site testing (DT&E2) by performing dry-runs and run-for-records (RFRs) along with test procedure development, conducting & presenting at Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and Test Review Boards (TRBs).

The position will involve factory and site SOW work mentioned above along with development/inputs for Request For Change (RFCs) and/or any CDRL documents (i.e. Network Interface Planning Documents, System Test Plans, Facilities Requirements Documents, Site Integration Requirements, etc) within the Ground Element scope.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Develop, update, and execute system-level integration and test procedures for the Ground Element in both factory (DT&E1) and site (DT&E2) environments.
  • Plan and conduct dry‑runs and run‑for‑record (RFR) test executions, including coordination of test resources, configurations, and data collection.
  • Prepare and present material for Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and Test Review Boards (TRBs), including test objectives, configurations, results, and discrepancies.
  • Analyze test data to verify requirements compliance, identify anomalies, perform root‑cause analysis, and drive resolution of discrepancies with multi‑disciplinary teams.
  • Develop and/or provide inputs to Requests for Change (RFCs) and Configuration/Change Control artifacts based on test findings and evolving system needs.
  • Author and maintain Ground Element technical documentation such as Network Interface Planning Documents, System Test Plans, Site Integration Requirements, and Facilities Requirements Documents.
  • Support integration of hardware, software, and networks within the ground system, including configuration, checkout, and troubleshooting of complex system interfaces.
  • Collaborate closely with software, network, and systems engineering teams to ensure testability, integration readiness, and verification of system requirements.
  • Participate in site installation, integration, and verification activities, including extended travel to operational locations as required.
  • Adhere to established test processes, configuration management, and quality standards while identifying and implementing continuous improvements to test efficiency and effectiveness.

 

Basic Qualifications for Systems Engineer – Level 4:

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 8+ years of engineering experience OR, Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 6+ years of experience OR, PhD degree in a STEM discipline with 4+ year of experience

  • Candidate must have an active SCI at time of application. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.

  • Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, often for extended periods (up to two months’ duration)

  • Minimum of three years of experience in test procedure development, test planning, and/or integration and test

  • Demonstrated written and oral communications skills through written requirements, test, and evaluation criteria

Preferred Qualifications for Systems Engineer – Level 4

  • Working knowledge of Linux operating systems

  • Experience working in a command line environment

  • Working knowledge of scripting languages such as Python

  • Experience in SW integration activities

  • Experience in basic networking

  • Certified in CompTia Security + or higher

  • Working knowledge of test instruments including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.

  • Experience in troubleshooting of complex systems

  • Experience with ground segment testing and ground integration activities

  • Experience of working as part of a diverse team in a fast-paced environment

  • Experience with Automated Test and Integration frameworks including Playwright

 

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space.

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

 

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
  • 401k
  • Educational Assistance
  • Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
  • Paid Time Off
  • Health & Wellness Resources
  • Employee Discounts
  • Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.

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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.

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