Sr Principal Engineer Systems

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Los Angeles, CA +1 · Systems/Architecture/Test

This role is for a Senior Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman, focusing on the development and delivery of technology programs within the aerospace and defense sector. The position requires strong systems engineering principles, experience with design reviews, verification, and managing technical baselines. The role involves leading cross-functional teams, collaborating with integration and test teams, and ensuring successful transition of hardware-software systems to production. A Secret clearance is required.

What you'd actually do

  1. Be responsible for the technical baseline development by capturing, analyzing, and finalizing the functional and performance requirements baseline; maintain full traceability in DOORS and confirm verifiability ahead of the Critical Design Review (CDR).
  2. Develop functional and physical system architectures, conduct trade‑off studies, and select optimal solutions that advance system maturity toward production readiness.
  3. Organize and lead internal design‑review meetings; facilitate external CDR sessions with customers, suppliers, certification bodies and other partners, collecting feedback, documenting decisions and driving corrective actions to closure.
  4. Collaborate with integration and test teams on schedules, maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and create comprehensive test verification matrices that cover hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) scenarios.
  5. Lead verification execution, analyze test and analysis results, resolve discrepancies and close verification loops to satisfy CDR baseline requirements and subsequent system qualification.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline + 8 years of related experience; Master of Science in a STEM discipline + 6 years of related experience; or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline + 4 years of related experience
  • Demonstrated systems‑engineering experience, preferably in aerospace or defense.
  • Proficient with systems‑engineering tools such as DOORS, CAMEO, MATLAB, or comparable software.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; able to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, capable of translating technical concepts for non‑technical audiences.
  • Collaborative team player who actively contributes to cross‑functional projects.
  • Meticulous attention to detail with a commitment to high‑quality, reliable work.
  • Agile and adaptable, thriving in fast‑changing, fast‑paced environments.
  • A current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance.
  • Availability to work onsite full‑time in Woodland Hills, California.

Nice to have

  • Master’s degree or PhD in a STEM field or in technical management.
  • Solid understanding of inertial navigation and related products.
  • Proven track record executing program milestones, including Systems Requirements Review (SRR), System Functional Review (SFR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).

What the JD emphasized

  • Secret clearance
  • Secret