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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal / Senior Principal Systems Engineer - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Redondo Beach, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $114,000.0 - $171,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Network Interface Controllers, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Systems Analysis, Industry Standard Architecture, MATLAB, Requirements Management, SAP (Applications), Systems Modeling Language, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, MagicDraw, Polarion, DODAF - **Published:** September 17, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9171871/principal-senior-principal-systems-engineer ## About the Role * Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 3 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 1 years of related professional/military experience * Must have an active US Government Secret (or higher) clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs. * Must have experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML-creating and maintaining SysML models and using MBSE to support requirements, design, and verification. * Must have experience with requirements management (tools such as DOORS, Polarion, or equivalent), including requirements decomposition and traceability. * Must have experience in risk management methods (e.g., FMEA, FTA, risk registers) and applying risk-informed design decisions. * Must have experience developing system architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), and performing system-level trade studies. * Must have familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle processes (V-model) and standards (e.g., INCOSE SE Handbook). * Must have communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills; ability to present complex technical material clearly., * Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 6 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience * Must have an active US Government Secret (or higher) clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs. * Must have experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML-creating and maintaining SysML models and using MBSE to support requirements, design, and verification. * Must have experience with requirements management (tools such as DOORS, Polarion, or equivalent), including requirements decomposition and traceability. * Must have experience in risk management methods (e.g., FMEA, FTA, risk registers) and applying risk-informed design decisions. * Must have experience developing system architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), and performing system-level trade studies. * Must have familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle processes (V-model) and standards (e.g., INCOSE SE Handbook). * Must have communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills; ability to present complex technical material clearly., * Master's degree preferred in Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related field * Experience with SysML tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, MagicDraw, or Enterprise Architect. * Knowledge of aerospace architecture frameworks (DoDAF/UPDM) and model interchange standards (AP233, OSLC). * Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, model-based verification, or digital thread/MBSE toolchains. * Experience with avionics, guidance & navigation, flight control systems, or propulsion integration. * Prior experience in R&AD, prototype development, rapid iteration, or technology maturation programs. ## Description In this role, the Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer will lead system-level architecture definition and systems engineering activities for advanced aeronautics programs in the R&AD organization. The role requires strong general systems engineering skills including requirements management, risk management, architecture development, and hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML. The Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer will define and evolve architectures for high-performance aircraft and/or unmanned systems, guide trade studies, and mentor multidisciplinary teams through concept, design, integration, and V&V phases., * Lead development of system-level architectures, concepts of operations, and interface definitions for advanced aeronautics projects. * Apply MBSE using SysML to produce and maintain system models, traceability, and architectural views throughout the program lifecycle. * Drive requirements engineering and configuration: elicit, decompose, allocate, and manage requirements; ensure bidirectional traceability. * Perform and oversee risk management activities (identification, assessment, mitigation planning, and tracking); support FMEA/FTA and risk registers. * Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and feasibility assessments to support architectural decisions * Define verification & validation strategies and support test planning and integration activities. * Coordinate cross-disciplinary engineering teams (hardware, software, avionics, propulsion, structures) and external partners/suppliers to ensure architectural integrity and system integration. * Prepare technical briefings, architecture artifacts, and documentation for stakeholders and review boards. * Mentor and provide technical leadership to systems engineers and architects; establish best practices for MBSE and systems engineering across projects. We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do. ## Related Videos - [Why Your Best Mediors Never Become Seniors (And How to Fix It)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2108-why-your-best-mediors-never-become-seniors-and-how-to-fix-it) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) - [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) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard)