Principal Systems Engineer - RQ4 FMS Co-CLS Field Facing Integrator

Northrop Grumman; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer - Co-CLS Field Facing Integrator to support the RQ‑4 FMS program in Rancho Bernardo, CA. You will analyze mission data, develop tools, and work with CLS, SIL, and customers to resolve issues and improve performance.

The role requires a STEM degree with 3–5+ years of relevant experience, strong scripting skills, and an active US government Secret clearance. On-site collaboration and travel to dispersed teams are expected.

Qualifications

• Must have a STEM degree with several years of relevant experience or advanced degrees.
• Experience analyzing mission or test data and interpreting results.
• Experience scripting or coding to automate analysis or tool development.
• Experience with system integration environments and lab work.
• Must be able to work on-site in Rancho Bernardo, CA and collaborate with dispersed teams.
• Active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with timely investigations).

Responsibilities

• Perform debugging and execution of mission data re-runs to support investigations.
• Develop and maintain mission data analysis tools and workflows.
• Conduct mission data analyses to identify trends and root causes of anomalies.
• Support SIL/Lab integration activities, planning, data collection, and documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve deficiencies and implement corrective actions.
• Document findings and recommendations clearly for internal and external customers.

Skills

Data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Scripting

System integration

Education

BSc in STEM

MS in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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.

Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Systems Engineer - Co-CLS Field Facing Integrator to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Systems Engineering organization. This role is located in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

In this role as the Co‑CLS Field Facing Integrator, you will support the RQ‑4 FMS program by performing mission data analysis, integration activities, and field-facing investigations to resolve system issues and improve operational performance. You will be based in Rancho Bernardo and will work closely with CLS, SIL, program engineering, and FMS customers (SPO, JASDF, ROK) to provide timely, data‑driven technical recommendations. Success will be dependent on your strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills, as well as effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present technical findings and recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform debugging and execution of RVTs (e.g., mission data re‑runs, replay/validation tests) to support investigation of fielded system issues.
• Develop, code, and maintain mission data analysis tools (e.g., scripts, utilities, and automated workflows) to support recurring analysis needs.
• Conduct mission data analyses to identify trends, characterize system performance, and determine potential root cause of anomalies or degradations.
• Support integration activities within the FMS System Integration Lab (SIL), including test planning, execution, data collection, and issue documentation.
• Support field-facing investigations and provide clear, technically grounded recommendations to stakeholders including the SPO, JASDF, and/or ROK.
• Document findings, analysis results, and corrective actions in a clear, traceable manner for internal and external customers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to drive resolution of deficiencies and implementation of corrective actions.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military / professional / academic experience
• Must have experience with data analysis (e.g., using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools) and interpreting mission or test data.
• Must have experience with software scripting or coding to automate analysis or tool development.
• Must have experience with system integration and test environments (labs, SIL/HWIL, or similar).
• Must have the ability to work on‑site in Rancho Bernardo and collaborate with multi‑disciplinary and geographically dispersed teams.
• Must have an active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with RQ‑4 or other UAS / mission systems, or with CLS / field support environments.
• Experience working with or supporting FMS customers and associated stakeholders (SPO, JASDF, ROK).
• Experience with mission planning / debrief tools, RVTs, or telemetry analysis.
• Familiarity with communications, datalinks, or networked mission systems.
• Experience with configuration management, requirements management, or defect tracking tools.

#Blue #Yellow

Primary 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.