Sr Principal Engineer Systems

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Systems Engineer (Principal or Senior Principal Engineer Level) to support fielded airborne ISR systems and associated data center, network, and communication infrastructures onsite at Beale AFB, CA .

This role is a key technical interface between operations, field users, engineering Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and customer representatives. The selected engineer will apply systems thinking to sustain and improve mission systems, resolve complex field issues, and drive configuration changes from concept through implementation in support of 24/7 operations.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Serve as the on-site systems engineering liaison between operations, engineering IPTs, and customer stakeholders to resolve field issues, escalations, and installations.
• Sustain and provide real-time support for mission systems, including operating systems (Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi), data center hardware (compute, storage, network), and ground communication/network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, SATCOM/RF).
• Perform system-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis across avionics, data center, network, and communication subsystems in field and control room environments.
• Plan, configure, integrate, and test hardware/software changes in lab and operational environments; ensure interoperability across compute, storage, and network.
• Lead intake, technical review, and execution of configuration and change requests, including preparation of Configuration Change Board (CCB) packages with risk assessments and implementation guidance.
• Coordinate and track cross-functional action items and change requests; maintain status and performance metrics for field modifications and fixes.
• Develop and execute test plans, integration procedures, and verification/validation activities for new or modified payloads, instrumentation, and network configurations.
• Provide technical briefings and written status updates to customers, program leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Support mission operations, including shift work, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime.

Applicable at a Principal Engineer Level (level 3):

• Must have a Bachelors degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant systems engineering or related professional engineering/ military experience, OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant systems engineering or related professional engineering/ military experience, OR a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant systems engineering or related professional engineering/ military experience

Applicable at a Senior Principal Engineer Level (level 4):

• Must have a Bachelors degree in a STEM field and at least 8 years of relevant systems engineering or related professional engineering/ military experience, OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM field and at least 6 years of relevant systems engineering or related professional engineering/ military experience, OR a PhD and at least 4 years of relevant systems engineering or related professional engineering/ military experience.

Applicable at Both Levels:

• Experience with system integration, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis across hardware, software, and network boundaries.
• Familiarity with modern operating systems and networking concepts (e.g., Windows and/or Linux administration, TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, ACLs, VPNs).
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical and/or mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering teams and technicians to implement system changes and resolve issues under schedule pressure.
• Active USG Top Secret SCI clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to work non-standard hours (shift work, nights, weekends, holidays) and support occasional travel (up to ~25%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear technical documentation and briefings.
• Experience supporting airborne ISR platforms and associated ground systems in field or test environments.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting network equipment (e.g., Cisco or equivalent switches/routers, firewalls such as Cisco ASA/Firepower or Palo Alto) and virtualized environments (VMware ESXi or similar).
• Familiarity with network management and security protocols (e.g., SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS).
• Experience with Agile practices and/or tools (e.g., JIRA) for managing engineering actions.
• Proficiency in one or more programming/scripting languages (e.g., C, C++, Python, Bash)
• Prior military, flight test, or depot-level field engineering support experience.
• DoD 8140 IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification (e.g., Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CCNP, CISSP) strongly preferred.

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

Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

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.

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.