Principal Systems Engineer / Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Integration & Test

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 108,800 - 203,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education assistance

9/80 Work Schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems seeks Systems Integration & Test Engineers (Level 3/4) in Baltimore, MD to lead testing of RF sensor systems for aircraft and radar platforms. You will guide integration, troubleshooting, and test activities across software, firmware, and hardware teams.

The role involves developing test plans, executing comprehensive verification, and coordinating lab environments and environmental/flight tests for advanced radar and communications systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience in STEM fields; or Master’s with 3 years; or PhD with 1 year; additional 4 years may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with RF lab test equipment (signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc.).
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware/software/firmware integration problems.
• Experience coding in MATLAB to support test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing.
• Experience conducting system bench tests, writing test reports, and communicating status updates.

Responsibilities

• Integrate, troubleshoot, and test RF sensor systems.
• Support the development and establishment of integration lab environments.
• Collaborate with software, firmware, and hardware teams to define test cases and develop test capabilities.
• Work with subject‑matter experts to ensure testing produces expected data points.
• Prepare and maintain system integration plans and test plans.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules for verifying system requirements.
• Participate in I&T readiness reviews, design reviews, and audits of I&T program facilities.
• Coordinate integrated testing activities, including environmental, reliability, and flight tests.
• Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of the test program.
• Perform analysis of test results and write comprehensive reports.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to expedite testing of individual units before system integration.

Skills

MATLAB

RF testing

Hardware troubleshooting

Software debugging

Lab measurements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 5 years experience

Master’s degree in STEM with 3 years

Ph.D. in STEM with 1 year

Alternative experience in lieu of a degree

Tools

RF test equipment

Oscilloscope

Signal generator

Spectrum analyzer

Job description

Additional Information

• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Travel required: Yes, up to 10% of the time.

Description

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) division is seeking Systems Integration & Test Engineers (Level 3 or Level 4) in Baltimore, MD to support test and verification activities of RF sensor systems.

The role involves leading the development, integration, and testing of advanced radar, communications, and signals intelligence systems for aircraft such as the F-22, F-35, F-16, and UAVs, as well as ground and maritime radar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Integrate, troubleshoot, and test RF sensor systems.
• Support the development and establishment of integration lab environments.
• Collaborate with software, firmware, and hardware teams to define test cases and develop test capabilities.
• Work with subject‑matter experts to ensure testing produces expected data points.
• Prepare and maintain system integration plans and test plans.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules for verifying system requirements.
• Participate in I&T readiness reviews, design reviews, and audits of I&T program facilities.
• Coordinate integrated testing activities, including environmental, reliability, and flight tests.
• Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of the test program.
• Perform analysis of test results and write comprehensive reports.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to expedite testing of individual units before system integration.

Security and Clearance

A current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance is required, and the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP) is mandatory.

U.S. Citizenship is required.

Qualifications – Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, or Master’s degree with 3 years, or Ph.D. with 1 year in STEM fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with RF lab test equipment (signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc.).
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware/software/firmware integration problems.
• Experience coding in MATLAB to support test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing.
• Experience conducting system bench tests, writing test reports, and communicating status updates.

Qualifications – Senior Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience, or Master’s degree with 6 years, or Ph.D. with 4 years in STEM fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with RF lab test equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware/software/firmware integration problems.
• Experience coding in MATLAB for test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing.
• Experience conducting system bench tests, writing test reports, and communicating status updates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance or higher.
• Previous experience on a Special Access Program.
• Knowledge of integrating and testing software written in C or C++.
• Knowledge of radar systems.
• Knowledge of firmware and hardware control integration planning and execution.
• Knowledge of embedded systems design and implementation.
• Experience developing scripts in Python to automate manual processes.
• Understanding of Systems Engineering concepts, including requirements analysis and verification planning.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

• Health Plan.
• Savings Plan.
• Paid Time Off.
• Additional benefits including education assistance, training, and development.
• 9/80 Work Schedule where available.
• Other benefits as determined by company policy.

Compensation

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

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

Additional compensation may include overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and long‑term incentives for senior roles. Base salary is determined based on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, and market conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make 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.