Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer or Principal Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer

ngc; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Vehicle Management Systems Engineer to define avionics architectures and manage flight-critical systems. The role covers hardware/software integration, test execution, and cross-team coordination to deliver mission-ready capabilities.

Primary or Principal level available; requires STEM degree and ability to obtain US government clearance. Competitive salary ranges apply with a strong DoD-focused design environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM with 2 years of engineering experience OR Master’s with 0 years.
• Experience with Air Vehicle systems and subsystems (propulsion, hydraulics, fuel, etc.).
• Understanding of electrical and data interfaces (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, etc.).
• Hardware/software integration, verification & validation experience.
• Engineering modeling and simulation experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance

Responsibilities

• Define subsystem-level requirements from high-level aircraft requirements.
• Define and manage flight-critical system components and interfaces.
• Interface with SMEs for propulsion, hydraulics, fuel, and related subsystems.
• Perform planning, analysis, and hardware trade studies to meet requirements.
• Coordinate and manage suppliers and hardware procurement.
• Integrate hardware and software and derive software requirements for flight-control systems.
• Develop and execute test procedures to verify VMS functionality.
• Coordinate with software, hardware, and systems engineers and suppliers.
• Investigate and resolve system anomalies across disciplines.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree in STEM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer or Principal Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer to join our team that supports our South Bay Vehicle Engineering organization. This position is in El Segundo, CA.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Define key subsystem-level requirements from high level aircraft and program requirements to define avionics hardware architectures according to customer specifications
• Define, develop, and manage components, interface definitions, and implementation approaches of flight critical systems such as:
  • Flight control computers or vehicle management computers
  • Flight control actuation systems (FCAS)
  • Air data systems (ADS)
  • IMU and GPS for Navigation
  • Electrical power systems
• Interface with subject matter experts for receiving and management of information regarding other subsystems such as propulsion, hydraulics, fuel, etc.
• Perform technical planning, analysis, and hardware trade studies to meet requirements
• Coordinate and manage suppliers and hardware procurement
• Perform component hardware and software integration, and derive software requirements for control of flight-critical and safety-critical systems
• Develop and execute components, subsystem, and system level test procedures to verify functionality of the VMS hardware and software
• Coordinate with software engineers, subsystems/design engineers, hardware engineers, test and integration, suppliers, and systems engineering
• Investigate and resolve system anomalies across multiple engineering disciplines

This requisition may be filled at either the Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer level or the Principal Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer level, depending on the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field from an accredited university with 2 years of related engineering experience OR a Master’s Degree in a related STEM field with 0 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with or knowledge of the design, development, and/or integration of the Air Vehicle systems and subsystems listed above (propulsion, hydraulics, fuel, etc.)
• Understanding of electrical and data interfaces (such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-232, ARINC 429, or analog interfaces)
• Experience with or knowledge of hardware/software integration, verification & validation
• Experience with or knowledge of engineering modeling and simulation
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Basic Qualifications for Principal Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) Engineer:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field from an accredited university with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a relevant STEM field with 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM field with 1 year of related engineering experience
• Experience with or knowledge of the design, development, and/or integration of the Air Vehicle systems and subsystems listed above (propulsion, hydraulics, fuel, etc.)
• Understanding of electrical and data interfaces (such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-232, ARINC 429, or analog interfaces)
• Experience with or knowledge of hardware/software integration, verification & validation
• Experience with or knowledge of engineering modeling and simulation
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team, organize work, manage time, plan, and prioritize
• A current active in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher, with the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

Secondary 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.