> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2003212-sr-principal-engineer-systems-external-interface-aht](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2003212-sr-principal-engineer-systems-external-interface-aht). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Sr Principal Engineer Systems - External Interface (AHT) - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Redondo Beach, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Configuration Management, Design of User Interfaces, Interoperability, Requirements Management, Software Requirements Analysis - **Published:** August 9, 2026 - **Apply:** https://us.experteer.com/career/view-jobs/sr-principal-engineer-systems-external-interface-aht-redondo-beach-ca-usa-58871137 ## About the Role _ in DOORS and drive documentation into digital transformation * Coordinate interfaces across mechanical, electrical, data, RF, and software domains * Perform interface compatibility analyses, margins, and trades to support architecture decisions * Support interface verification planning, test configurations, procedures, and success criteria * Investigate and resolve interface-related issues during integration and testing * Ensure interface design/docs stay aligned with evolving requirements and constraints * Contribute to risk identification and mitigation for external interfaces * Provide clear technical communication to leadership, customers, and teams * Review RFCs for potential impacts and program responses Tasks * Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years of experience OR Master's degree in STEM with 6 years of experience OR PhD with 4 years of experience * Active SCI clearance at time of application and maintained * Experience with external interfaces and interface documentation aa STEM IRDs, specs) and configuration control * Experience on space systems programs (spacecraft, payloads, ground segment, operations) * Familiarity with interface standards and industry best practices for space/ground systems * Experience with customer/partner interface definition and control * Familiarity with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS) and model-based or structured SE practices * 8+ years in Systems Engineering or related technical discipline * Strong written and oral communication skills Key requirements * Medical, Dental & Vision coverage * 401k * Educational Assistance * Life Insurance * Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions * Paid Time Off ## Description Experteer Overview In this role you will lead the definition, integration, and verification of system-to-system interfaces across space architectures. You will own the external interfaces between payloads, spacecraft buses, ground segments, and partners to ensure interoperability and compliance. You'll work with cross-disciplinary teams to decompose requirements, manage interface documentation, and resolve integration issues throughout the program lifecycle. This is a pivotal role shaping external interfaces for complex space systems and collaborating with customers and stakeholders. Compensation / Benefits * Define and control external interfaces for subsystems and segments (space, ground, cross-segment) * Develop and baseline ICDs and interface specs and related artifacts * Decompose system requirements into interface requirements and allocate to subsystems/components * Lead and participate in interface reviews, working groups, and technical interchange meetings * Maintain interfaces in DOORS and drive documentation into digital transformation * Coordinate interfaces across mechanical, electrical, data, RF, and software domains * Perform interface compatibility analyses, margins, and trades to support architecture decisions * Support interface verification planning, test configurations, procedures, and success criteria * Investigate and resolve interface-related issues during integration and testing * Ensure interface design/docs stay aligned with evolving requirements and constraints * Contribute to risk identification and mitigation for external interfaces * Provide clear technical communication to leadership, customers, and teams * Review RFCs for potential impacts and program responses Tasks * Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years of experience OR Master's degree in STEM with 6 years of experience OR PhD with 4 years of experience * Active SCI clearance at time of application and maintained * Experience with external interfaces and interface documentation (ICDs, IRDs, specs) and configuration control * Experience on space systems programs (spacecraft, payloads, ground segment, operations) * Familiarity with interface standards and industry best practices for space/ground systems * Experience with customer/partner interface definition and control * Familiarity with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS) and model-based or structured SE practices * 8+ years in Systems Engineering or related technical discipline * Strong written and oral communication skills Key requirements * Medical, Dental & Vision coverage * 401k * Educational Assistance * Life Insurance * Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions * Paid Time Off ## Related Videos - [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) - [From Bedside Beeps to Interoperable Bytes – Getting your medical devices ready to talk the IEEE 11073 language](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/771-from-bedside-beeps-to-interoperable-bytes-getting-your-medical-devices-ready-to-talk-the-ieee-11073-language) - [The Migration Cookbook](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100164-the-migration-cookbook) - [What If We Designed Employee Experience Like a Customer Journey?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1824-what-if-we-designed-employee-experience-like-a-customer-journey) - [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) - [Designing UX for SRE Agents in High-Stakes Incidents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100003-designing-ux-for-sre-agents-in-high-stakes-incidents) ## Related Articles - [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) - [Dev Digest 129 - Now that's what I call private data!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/468-dev-digest-129-now-that-s-what-i-call-private-data) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Why Attend a Developer Event in 2026?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/688-why-attend-a-developer-event-in-2026) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing)