user avatar

Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads

Northrop Grumman

Yesterday
Secret
Unspecified
Unspecified
Engineering - Electrical
San Diego, CA (On-Site/Office)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads to our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization supporting RQ-4 Global Hawk Program

The selected candidate will be responsible for the evaluation of Communications and Payloads electrical systems, products, components, and applications.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution of a payload system throughout the sustainment phase.
  • Lead end-to-end troubleshooting for imagery downlinking and processing.
  • Support suppliers and customers with troubleshooting anomalies in system integration labs, on the production and repair lines, or during flight operations, including Root Cause Corrective Actions (RCCAs).
  • Contribute as a member of Supplier Management Team including conducting or coordinating review of supplier documentation (e.g., technical evaluations of proposals, acceptance test procedures, cost and schedule reports, and software version description documents).
  • Collect data and reporting status to program managers and IPT leadership.
  • Support trade studies and engineering deep dives.


The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility . Once established in role, the position could potentially offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion. This position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

This position can be filled at either the Principal Electronics Engineer level or the Senior Principal Electronics Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Electronics Engineer:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.
  • Experience working with electronic systems and EO/RADAR Payloads.
  • Active in-scope, DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance once in position.
  • Ability to obtain Special Program Access.


Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Electronics Engineer:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience.
  • Experience working with electronic systems and EO/RADAR Payloads.
  • Active in-scope, DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance once in position.
  • Ability to obtain Special Program Access.


Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
  • Active in-scope, DoD Top Secret clearance.
  • Practical experience working with other airborne payload systems in addition to electronic systems.
  • Ability to comprehend and analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and make decisions that impact the organization's credibility, operations, and services.
  • Ability to interpret numerical data for reporting purposes and prepare and analyze data and figures.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team environment.
  • Supplier Management Experience
  • Familiarity with utilizing Wireshark for troubleshooting


Primary Level Salary Range: $110,300.00 - $165,500.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $137,400.00 - $206,000.00

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.
group id: 10122071

The Classified Life

job ad image
Find Northrop Grumman on Social Media
Network Employers
user avatar
About Us
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
job ad2 image

Northrop Grumman Jobs


Clearance Level
Secret