Principal / Sr. Principal Space Payload Systems Engineer (AHT)
Ngc· Defense· Sep 22, 2026 · 1mo ago
Linthicum, MD
In office
Full-time
Principal
$131K–$197K
5+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 Space Systems is a strategic partner specializing in delivering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for classified and unclassified missions in space. As part of Eastern Region Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (ER-SEIT), you will have the opportunity to experience the entire space design lifecycle. We do it all here, on-site, from sensors to payloads to full up spacecraft, supporting Class A to Class D missions. All the way from early mission and concept design to on-orbit operational support.
This position is for a Principal or Sr Principal Systems Engineer to join our Eastern Region Systems Engineering team . As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to support efforts on both concept and product development to deliver key solutions to our customers. We cover a wide variety expertise within the systems engineering domain. This includes mission engineering, requirements, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification and validation, and many more!
The position will be responsible for supporting and leading systems engineering tasks for space subsystems, payloads and/or vehicles . These may include, but are not limited to:
Requirements analysis, derivation, and management
Mission Engineering, modeling, and analysis
Architecture and CONOPs development
Systems modeling and simulation
Functional analysis
Timeline analysis
Trade studies
Technical planning
Cost and risk analysis
Interface definition
System design
System integration and test
Verification and Validation planning and execution
Supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems.
Some tools you could expect to use are: DOORS, STK, Cameo, Rhapsody, MATLAB, python
This position can be staffed at a Principal or Sr. Principal level, based on the basic qualifications below:
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Engineer: Bachelor Degree in STEM curriculum with 5 years relevant experience; 3 years with MS Degree; or PhD with 0 years of experience.
Sr Principal Engineer: Bachelor Degree in STEM curriculum with 8 years relevant experience; 6 years with MS Degree; or PhD with 3 years of experience.
Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Top Secre t security clearance a time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
Systems engineering experience (i.e. requirements, mission engineering, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification and validation)
Preferred Qualifications:
Space experience
Sensor/payload experience:
Antennas
Radar
EO/IR
Communications
Processing, specifically On-Board Processing
Space vehicle experience
Space ground systems architecture and design experience
Mission engineering, modeling and simulation
Space Mission CONOPS
Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T)
Primary Level Salary Range: $105,400.00 - $158,000.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $131,100.00 - $196,700.00
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 northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off