Principal Systems Engineer /Sr Principal Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Groton (CT); On-site; USD 109,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in Groton, CT is seeking a Strategic Weapons System Launcher Systems Engineer at Principal or Sr Principal level to join the U.S. Navy Columbia class program.

This role offers exposure to a challenging, high‑impact defense project and a path toward senior technical leadership. You will install and test the Trident II Submarine Launcher Subsystem, travel up to 25%, and work in a small, highly specialized team with strict procedures and a rotating schedule as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM and 5+ years in SSBN/SSGN or strategic weapons.
• U.S. citizenship and active Secret clearance.
• Willing to travel up to 25% and work rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to shipyard personnel for launcher subsystem installation and maintenance.
• Witness SITP test procedures for COLUMBIA Class SSBNs.
• Train shipyard staff in equipment operation and installation procedures.
• Analyze equipment failures and propose corrective actions.
• Update test program documentation to support execution and efficiency.
• Collaborate with UK test personnel on SITP lessons learned.

Skills

SSBN operations

Launcher subsystem

Test programs

Rotating schedules

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available.

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes.

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret.

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 Mission Systems (NGMS) is a trusted provider of mission‑enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, re‑defines 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!

We are looking for you to join our team as a Strategic Weapons System Launcher Systems Engineer based out of Groton, CT, at Northrop Grumman’s General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) location. You will be part of a small, highly specialized team that will install and test the Trident II Submarine Launcher Subsystem for the U.S. Navy’s Columbia class submarine: a new construction ballistic missile submarine program. The ideal candidate is a self‑starter, with excellent communication skills, exhibits flexibility, and works well within a diverse team environment. This position can be hired at a level 3 Principal Systems Engineer or a level 4 Sr Principal Systems Engineer with 25% travel.

What you’ll get to do:

• Provide technical support to shipyard personnel on the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Trident II Submarine Launcher Subsystem and support equipment at both the Quonset Point, RI and Groton, CT shipyard sites.
• Witness and participate in the conduct of test procedures as part of the Shipyard Installation and Test Program (SITP) for COLUMBIA Class SSBNs.
• Support test program readiness reviews, participate in working groups, and attend daily standup meetings as required.
• Train shipyard personnel in equipment operation, installation, maintenance, inspection procedures, and installation techniques.
• Analyze equipment failures to determine cause and recommend corrective action.
• Prepare required status reports and a daily log of tasks/repairs accomplished.
• Work in a multi‑stakeholder environment to resolve time sensitive deck plate issues.
• Update government approved test program documentation to support execution, improve efficiency, or correct deficiencies.
• Collaborate with UK based test personnel on lessons learned during execution of SITP for Dreadnought Class SSBNs.

Basic Qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) and 5 or more years of work experience in Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN), or Ship Submersible Guided Missile Nuclear (SSGN), or Strategic Weapons Systems operations, or Shipyard Integrated Test Program, or Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or System Engineering.
• US citizenship.
• Active current U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Must be willing to support occasional travel up to 25%.
• Must be willing to work on a rotating schedule, as needed; periodic shift work and weekend work may be required based on testing and operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer

• Experience with Strategic System Program (SSP) operations and the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program.
• Experience on the D5 Launcher Subsystem and Launcher Support Equipment.
• Experience working in a SSBN new construction or overhaul shipyard.
• Experience in an environment with strict procedural compliance.

Basic Qualifications for the Sr Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) and 8 or more years of work experience in Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN), or Ship Submersible Guided Missile Nuclear (SSGN), or Strategic Weapons Systems operations, or Shipyard Integrated Test Program, or Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or System Engineering.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Active current U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Must be willing to support occasional travel up to 25%.
• Must be willing to work on a rotating schedule, as needed; periodic shift work and weekend work may be required based on testing and operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications for the Sr Principal Systems Engineer

• Experience with Strategic System Program (SSP) operations and the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program.
• Experience on the D5 Launcher Subsystem and Launcher Support Equipment.
• Experience working in a SSBN new construction or overhaul shipyard.
• Experience in an environment with strict procedural compliance.

Salary Range

• Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
• Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

Benefits

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.

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.