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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Mission Payload Systems Engineer - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Redondo Beach, CA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $110,300.0 - $165,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Digital Electronics, Hardware Design, Radio-Frequency Identification, Software Systems, Systems Integration, Information Technology, Modeling and Simulation - **Published:** July 23, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/B30023747F564411ACCAB182B31BAFE5/job/ ## About the Role * Overhead Infrared (OPIR) system * Electro-Optics * Sensor design * Remote sensing * High energy laser systems * Lasercom systems * Spacecraft system design * Image processing * RF and digital hardware design * Signal detection and estimation * Control Systems * Structures/Dynamics, * Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 5+ years of engineering experience OR a Masters of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 3+ years of engineering experience OR a Phd in a STEM discipline * Possesses strong leadership qualities, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills * Experience designing, integrating, testing and operating optical and/or RF systems * Must have active DoD Top Secret AND the ability and willingness to obtain SCI clearance at time of application . ., * Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computer Science * Experience with remote sensing, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), communications or directed energy * Candidates have completed relevant coursework in optics, control systems, remote sensing, lasercom and/or DSP * Experience with baseband and EO/IR sensors, high energy lasers, and/or remote sensing applications * Active TS with SCI clearance at time of application. ## Description This role focuses on advancing space systems through comprehensive systems engineering efforts. The Principal Mission Payload Systems Engineer will contribute to architecture trade studies, system design analysis, and performance modeling through advanced simulations. In this capacity, you will define and manage requirements, develop segment interfaces, and leverage cutting-edge technologies in optical sensing, communications, directed energy, RF systems, digital hardware, and microelectronics. Key responsibilities span the complete product development lifecycle, including: * Supporting new business acquisition and IRAD/technology development initiatives. * Defining system architectures, conducting trade studies, and developing specifications. * Allocating and validating requirements and contributing to payload performance analysis. * Designing modeling and simulation tools for system-level performance evaluation. * Leading payload hardware development for space and ground systems integration. * Managing subcontractor performance, hardware manufacturing, and integration processes. By joining this team, you'll play a critical role in delivering advanced integrated hardware and software systems that enable missions spanning Earth and beyond. If you have the pioneering spirit and technical expertise to develop groundbreaking systems, we invite you to help define the future of space exploration and innovation. This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) along with acquiring and maintaining customer and/or business funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance of the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future. ## Related Videos - [Rethinking Intelligence: AI, Accessibility, and the Future of Inclusive Work - Artur Ortega](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1377-rethinking-intelligence-ai-accessibility-and-the-future-of-inclusive-work-artur-ortega) - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [Quantum Computing - The tiny and the big challenges](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/934-quantum-computing-the-tiny-and-the-big-challenges) - [Breaking the Hardware Mindset: Overcoming Barriers to System-Level Innovation](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1635-breaking-the-hardware-mindset-overcoming-barriers-to-system-level-innovation) - [Building Systems that Last](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1389-building-systems-that-last) ## Related Articles - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [A Guide to Green Tech and Green IT Careers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/374-a-guide-to-green-tech-and-green-it-careers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs)