Principal Systems Engineer/Sr Principal Systems Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 4, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: 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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our organization is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Systems Engineer/Sr Principal Systems Engineer based out of San Diego, CA. As a Principal Systems Engineer/Sr Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation. The Principal Systems Engineer/Sr Principal Systems Engineer role will apply Model?Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using Cameo and DOORS to support development of a system architecture, conduct functional and trade?study analyses, and translate customer requirements into detailed specifications across the full product lifecycle—from concept through disposal. The successful candidate will collaborate with design, logistics, specialty engineering, and program IPT teams to ensure that communications solutions meet schedule, cost, and performance goals while maintaining alignment with overall system needs. The Systems Engineer will act as a cross-IPT technical integrator working closely with peers and managers of other engineering disciplines, program managers, and IPT leads, with essential functions including: Ensure the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints Perform functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into specifications using DOORS Develop systems architecture using Cameo Enterprise Architecture (behavioral, structural, analytical) Ensure system requirements, architecture, and designs integrate with technical needs of the program. Collaborate with program IPT counterparts to develop supporting systems engineering and design artifacts Work with both technical teams and stakeholders to develop and mature architecture content of large programs design Help develop and incorporate the appropriate requirements for the system and ensure that they are properly represented in the model Develop unifying model techniques, procedures, and processes (for model development, tool integration, and team integration) Participate in Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), and other program reviews and boards, as required Communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings at technical and program reviews and boards. Apply extensive technical expertise in the development of technical solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity. Provide cross-IPT support for Capture efforts, contract documents (e.g. SSOW/SDRL/CDRL), and trade studies as required This position may be filled at either the Principal System Engineer OR Sr Principal System Engineer level. Qualifications Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Engineer : Bachelor's degree in Systems, Software, or related STEM degree field with 5 years of experience; or 3 years experience with a Master's (MS) degree; or 1 year experience with a STEM PhD Experience in systems engineering Experience in system requirements development, management, and analysis Experience with MBSE, software design, or demonstrated ability to work with software-aided design tools The ability to adhere to Program security requirements while performing work The ability to effectively communicate with engineers and management from multiple disciplines Demonstrated communication and technical writing skills Must be a US Citizen CLEARANCE: A current/active DoD Secret clearance. Must currently have SAP or must be able to obtain and maintain SAP Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal Systems Engineer : Bachelor's degree in Systems, Software, or related STEM degree field with 8 years of experience; or 6 years experience with a Master's (MS) degree; or 4 years experience with a STEM PhD Experience in systems engineering Experience in system requirements development, management, and analysis Experience with MBSE, software design, or demonstrated ability to work with software-aided design tools The ability to adhere to Program security requirements while performing work The ability to effectively communicate with engineers and management from multiple disciplines Demonstrated communication and technical writing skills Must be a US Citizen CLEARANCE: A current/active DoD Secret clearance. Must currently have SAP or must be able to obtain and maintain SAP Preferred Qualifications: Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Engineering An active DoD Top Secret clearance Working knowledge of MBSE tools such as Cameo, Magic Draw, Rhapsody, Sparx EA, and/or Enterprise Architect Experience working on military / spacecraft systems Experience with complex system development on large programs Experience in developing, managing, and decomposing requirements Experience in system architecture, CONOPs, or model-based system engineering Experience in ICD, IRS, and IDD development and integration Proven ability to brief technical presentations to stakeholders Agile Systems Engineering Experience Experience in Cost Account Management (CAM) Experience in SysML or UPDM modeling languages Proficiency with the DoDAF, UAF, or other modeling frameworks Multifaceted in technical management SysML Certification INCOSE Participation or CSEP certification Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00 Secondary 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Tustin , Principal Systems Engineer/Sr Principal Systems Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , San Diego, California