Engineer/Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics

Northrop Grumman; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), CA, is seeking an Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 2) or Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 3). The role focuses on integrating avionics hardware, conducting lab and flight testing, and supporting production and field activities.

Regular presence at the Rancho Bernardo site with a hybrid schedule, including remote work as needed, is required to support complex development, production, and

Qualifications

• This requisition may be filled at two levels based on qualifiers.
• Bachelor’s in STEM with 2 years, or Master’s with 0 years experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and SAP.
• Experience with Matlab and core Microsoft Office applications.
• Hands‑on experience using test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Integrate avionics hardware, define interfaces, and ensure required redundancy.
• Conduct investigations, system testing, and flight testing in lab environments.
• Provide remote and on-site troubleshooting for production and field issues.
• Support proposal development, verification & validation, and risk analysis.
• Convert customer requirements into total system solutions balancing cost and schedule.

Skills

Matlab

Microsoft Office

Test equipment

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree in STEM

Ph.D. in STEM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 2) or Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 3) to join our Air Vehicle Hardware Avionics team of qualified, diverse individuals. This role will be located in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), CA.

Note: This position requires regular presence at our Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) site, with a hybrid work schedule that includes both remote work and on-site lab work as needed to support business needs.

The Hardware Avionics group is responsible for management of the following subsystems: Radar Altimeter (RadAlt), Air Data System (ADS), and electro-mechanical flight control actuation system. The selected individual will work independently and collaborate across multiple teams to deliver quality solutions. General duties for the candidate include lab & flight testing, production & field support, anomaly resolution, and supplier management. The role is dynamic as members of the team handle a broad range of activities across multiple phases of the program to include development, production, and operational support.

Key Responsibilities May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Integrate avionics hardware, accounting for hardware capabilities / limitations, defining interfaces, and incorporating required redundancy.
• Conduct investigations, system testing, and flight testing in lab environments.
• Provide remote and on-site troubleshooting for production and field issues.
• Support proposal development, technical planning, verification & validation, cost & risk analysis, and trade studies.
• Ensure the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total system solutions that balance technical, schedule, and cost constraints.

We offer flexible work arrangements, including a 9/80 schedule, to support work-life balance. Employees benefit from excellent learning opportunities and work on impactful, cutting-edge projects. Our collaborative and friendly team environment encourages professional growth and innovation.

Basic Qualifications

This requisition may be filled at an Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 2) or Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 3) level based on the qualifiers below.

Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 2)

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 2 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of related professional/military experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Experience with Matlab and core Microsoft Office applications (such as Word, Excel, Project, and Visio)
• Hands‑on experience utilizing test equipment (such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, signal analyzers, multi‑meters, etc.)

Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Hardware Avionics (Level 3)

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 5 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related professional/military experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Experience with Matlab and core Microsoft Office applications (such as Word, Excel, Project, and Visio)
• Hands‑on experience utilizing test equipment (such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, signal analyzers, multi‑meters, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S Government Secret security clearance or higher
• Basic understanding of avionics components, including RadAlt, Air Data, and FCAS
• Experience with system redundancy and associated safety analysis
• Familiarity with databuses and related protocols, such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-485, ARINC-429
• Experience performing system‑level design / troubleshooting
• Flight test, supplier management, requirements development and verification experience
• Prior experience as a military, civil, or commercial avionics technician

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

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.