Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Engineers - Integration & Test

Northrop Grumman; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 109,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a skilled Systems Integration & Test engineer to lead lab and bench ownership, drive complex test plans, and verify system requirements in a DoD/Aerospace context. You will mentor junior engineers and coordinate with SIT, TDE, FW, and other stakeholders onsite in Baltimore, MD.

The role requires DoD Secret clearance eligibility, onsite work in Baltimore, and strong leadership in test planning and verification across multiple SILs and benches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience; Master’s plus is preferred.
• Strong experience in system integration and test on complex HW/SW systems; defense/aerospace background helpful.
• Experience leading lab/bench ownership and test campaigns; ability to verify requirements and coordinate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead lab and bench ownership and ensure test campaigns run smoothly.
• Define and manage regression test campaigns for system SW OFP, FW, FESW, BSCT and related components.
• Coordinate with multiple stakeholders as primary technical contact for integration and test issues.

Skills

Systems integration

Test planning

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master’s degree

Tools

Configuration management tools

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.

The Engineering and Sciences organization (E&S) pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team 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. Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) division is seeking a Systems Integration & Test (SI&T) Engineers (Level 2 or Level 3) in Baltimore, MD to support test and verification activities of RF sensor systems. What you’ll get to do: As the lead developer of radars, COMMS, and SIGINT for some of the most advanced systems in the U.S. arsenal, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a world leader in advanced sensor systems and design. These include airborne RADARs for fighter jets & UAVs including F-22, F-35, F-16, Global Hawk (Triton), and Gray Eagle (STARLite), airborne surveillance RADARs for AWACS and E-7 (MESA), and ground and maritime RADARs including G/ATOR and SEWIP.

Qualified Systems Integration, Test & Evaluation (SITE) engineers will perform hands‑on integration and testing of sophisticated RF sensor systems, including both hardware and software components in development and production environments; synthesize internal and external customer needs and requirements into system tests that acknowledge technical and schedule constraints; participate in the development and execution of comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules for verifying system requirements; participate in I&T readiness reviews, design reviews and conducts audits of I&T program facilities; coordinate integrated testing activities that may include environmental, reliability and the occasional flight test; review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program; perform analysis of test results and prepares comprehensive reports; use modeling and simulation tools to expedite testing of individual units before all system components are available and for troubleshooting and repair of failed units.

What You’ll Get To Do

Experienced systems engineer providing technical leadership for ATP, Development I&T, and Capabilities I&T activities. This role leads test planning and execution, lab configuration management, and requirements verification across multiple SILs and benches, while mentoring early ‑career engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead lab and bench ownership
• Serve as lead maintainer for one or more integration labs/benches (e.g., SILs, Mode benches, MATE bays).
• Own bench design changes, maintenance planning, and configuration management of HW/SW, processors, and test equipment.
• Own test planning and execution
• Develop and lead LRIP ATP, HW DVT, and SSQT test plans, procedures, and success criteria.
• Define and manage regression test campaigns for system SW OFP, FW, FESW, BSCT and related components.
• Coordinate Mode SIL bench operations and flight test preparation and support, including objectives and No/Go criteria.
• Drive system integration of new capabilities
• Lead MATE and system integration of new advanced capabilities into SILs and lab environments.
• Ensure integration plans and test strategies support accelerated development and delivery schedules.
• Manage configuration and verification artifacts
• Own configuration management processes for MATE and system test environments, ensuring traceability and controlled changes.
• Lead PBS SE requirements verification, including VCRM content, verification documentation, and closure of requirements.
• Troubleshooting, coordination, and mentoring
• Lead HW/SW troubleshooting across multiple SILs and benches.
• Coordinate with SIT, TDE, FW, FESW, subsystem I&T, SEC, Mode, and other stakeholders as primary technical contact for integration and test issues.
• Mentor T02 engineers (Req A hires) in test design, execution, and verification practices.

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Level or a Sr. Principal Level.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Systems Engineer – Integration & Test

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience with; 3+ years with a Master’s; 1+ year with a PhD.
• Demonstrated experience in system integration and test on complex HW/SW systems, preferably in defense or aerospace.
• Experience leading lab/bench ownership, test campaigns, or requirements verification activities.
• Strong communication and leadership skills; ability to coordinate across multiple teams and present technical status to management and customers.
• Active DoD Secret clearance and the ability to obtain/maintain Special Program Access (SAP) prior to start is required.
• Candidate must be a US citizen
• Ability to work onsite in Baltimore, MD.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Systems Engineer – Integration & Test

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience with; 6+ years with a Master’s; 4+ year with a PhD.
• Demonstrated experience in system integration and test on complex HW/SW systems, preferably in defense or aerospace.
• Experience leading lab/bench ownership, test campaigns, or requirements verification activities.Strong communication and leadership skills; ability to coordinate across multiple teams and present technical status to management and customers.
• Active DoD Secret clearance and the ability to obtain/maintain Special Program Access (SAP) prior to start is required.
• Candidate must be a US citizen
• Ability to work onsite in Baltimore, MD.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience on Tactical Radar Programs or similar mission systems.
• Familiarity with configuration management tools and disciplined processes for complex test environments.
• Experience directing flight test objectives, No/Go criteria, and test configuration.

This position is contingent upon transfer of active DoD Secret Clearance and approved special program access.

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

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.