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

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Savings plans

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Training and development

9/80 schedule where available

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Baltimore is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead the integration and testing of RF sensor systems for advanced aircraft and maritime platforms. The role emphasizes planning, reporting, and cross‑functional coordination across radar, comms and SIGINT suites.

The candidate will develop verification plans, conduct environmental and flight tests, and use simulations to accelerate validation before full system availability. A Secret clearance and onsite work are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of STEM experience (or Master’s 3 years, Ph.D. 1 year) or 4 extra years in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain SAP.
• Current or active U.S. Government Secret clearance.
• Experience with RF lab test equipment (signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer).
• Experience troubleshooting hardware/software/firmware integration.
• Experience coding in MATLAB.
• Experience bench testing, writing test reports, and status updates.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration and testing of radars, communications and SIGINT systems for platforms such as F-22, F-35, F-16, Global Hawk, and Gray Eagle.
• Design, develop and execute comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules to verify system requirements.
• Coordinate integrated testing activities, including environmental, reliability, and flight tests.
• Review and evaluate test requirements, analyze results, and prepare detailed reports.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to expedite unit testing before full system availability and to troubleshoot failures.
• Support development of system integration plans and system test plans.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Systems engineering concepts

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 5 years of experience

Master’s degree in STEM with 3 years of experience

Ph.D. with 1 year of experience in STEM

4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree

Tools

MATLAB

RF lab test equipment

Python scripting

C/C++ knowledge

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available.

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time.

Description

The role is within Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' Baltimore division, focused on test and verification activities for RF sensor systems used in advanced aircraft and maritime platforms.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Lead the integration and testing of radars, communications and SIGINT systems for platforms such as F-22, F-35, F-16, Global Hawk, and Gray Eagle.
• Design, develop and execute comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules to verify system requirements.
• Coordinate integrated testing activities, including environmental, reliability, and flight tests.
• Review and evaluate test requirements, analyze results, and prepare detailed reports.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to expedite unit testing before full system availability and to troubleshoot failures.
• Support development of system integration plans and system test plans.

This position will be onsite full‑time in Baltimore, MD.

The requisition may be filled as a Principal Systems Engineer or a Senior Principal Systems Engineer.

Basic Qualifications – Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, Master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or Ph.D. with 1 year of experience in STEM fields; alternatively, 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Current or active U.S. Government Secret clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
• 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.
• Experience working a system bench, running acceptance test plans, writing test reports, and communicating status updates.

Basic Qualifications – Sr. Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience, Master’s degree with 6 years of experience, or Ph.D. with 4 years of experience in STEM fields; alternatively, 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Current or active U.S. Government Secret clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
• Experience with RF lab test equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware/software/firmware integration problems.
• Experience coding in MATLAB.
• Experience working a system bench, running acceptance test plans, 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 software integration and testing in C and C++.
• Knowledge of radar systems.
• Knowledge of firmware and hardware control integration planning.
• Knowledge of embedded systems design and implementation.
• Experience developing scripts in Python to automate processes.
• Understanding of Systems Engineering concepts, including requirements analysis and verification planning.
• Experience working in a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health plans, savings plans, paid time off, educational assistance, training and development, and a 9/80 work schedule where available.

Salary Range

Primary Level: $108,800.00 – $163,200.00
Secondary Level: $135,800.00 – $203,600.00

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For the 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.