Systems Design Engineer / Principal Systems Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Rolling Meadows (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows, IL is seeking a Systems Design Engineer to coordinate across disciplines, decompose requirements, and guide system design using MBSE and DOORS. The role requires DoD‑oriented experience and active citizenship with ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

The position is on-site in Rolling Meadows, IL, with salary guidance reflecting multiple levels and a structured set of benefits. You will join a team delivering complex EOIR/RFEW related systems.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or related technical field with 2+ years experience, or MS with related experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Experience decomposing requirements for DoD-based platforms or systems.
• Experience creating and delivering technical presentations.
• Working knowledge of DOORS and MBSE methods/tools such as Cameo or SysML.
• Candidate must be a US Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate across disciplines to ensure system requirements and design are defined and captured.
• Decompose requirements with subject matter experts and support trade studies.
• Guide system design decision making and MBSE artifacts.
• Generate/update specifications and Verification Cross Reference Matrices (VCRM) in DOORS.
• Collaborate within an Agile environment and balance cost/schedule constraints.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Technical presentations

US citizenship

Security clearance

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related

MS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related

PhD in STEM field

Tools

DOORS

MBSE

Cameo

SysML

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.

We are seeking capable, talented, and motivated team-contributors at our Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows site. Our products range from advanced sensing technologies to state-of-the‑art targeting and tracking systems that are deployed in Electro‑Optical Infrared (EOIR) and Radio Frequency Electronic Warfare (RFEW) systems. These systems are designed, developed, built, integrated, and tested by the capable folks at our company to protect the lives of US and Allied warfighters in present and future conflicts. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real‑life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is seeking a Systems Design Engineer / Principal Systems Design Engineer to join our team.

Systems Design Engineers coordinate across disciplines to ensure the system requirements and design are properly and thoroughly defined and captured. Tasking can include working with subject matter experts to decompose requirements, supporting trade studies of technical challenges, and guiding system design decision‑making. System Design Engineers use Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools, generate and update specifications and Verification Cross Reference Matrices (VCRM) in DOORS.

This position will be full‑time, on‑site at our Rolling Meadows, IL location.

This position may be contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.

This position can be filled at the Systems Design Engineer or Principal Systems Design Engineer level based on specific requirements listed below.

Basic Qualifications for Systems Design Engineer

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical degree with 2+ years of related experience or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Experience decomposing requirements for DoD-based platforms or systems
• Experience in creating and delivering technical presentations
• Working knowledge of DOORS and/or Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools such as Cameo or similar tools (i.e. descriptive modeling, SysML, etc.)
• Candidate must be a US Citizen
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance as necessary

Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Design Engineer

• BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a STEM field with 5 years of related experience; OR MS degree in STEM field with 3 years of related experience; OR PhD in STEM field with 1 year of related experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Experience decomposing requirements for DoD-based platforms or systems
• Experience in creating and delivering technical presentations
• Working knowledge of DOORS and/or Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools such as Cameo or similar tools (i.e. descriptive modeling, SysML, etc.)
• Candidate must be a US Citizen
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge from one or more of the following specialty areas: EOIR systems, sensors, optics, RFEW systems, antenna design, direction finding, geolocation, threat analysis
• Experience working as part of an Agile team and maintaining awareness of cost and schedule constraints
• Hands‑on experience with MATLAB/Python
• Proficiency with RF‑CAD suites such as ANSYS HFSS, CST Microwave Studio, or Keysight ADS
• Advanced knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) techniques, Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms, and FPGA‑based RF prototyping
• Demonstrated expertise in SysML modeling and MBSE tools (e.g., IBM Rational DOORS, Enterprise Architect, Cameo). Ability to develop and maintain system models, traceability matrices, and verification cross‑reference artifacts
• Hands‑on experience applying AI/ML to RF classification, spectrum analysis, or adaptive beamforming
• Experience supporting DoD programs during EMD and/or LRIP phases
• Experience working collaboratively on complex projects that encompass both hardware, software, and firmware
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $87,600.00 - $131,400.00

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

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.