> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3079563-space-payload-systems-principal-systems-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3079563-space-payload-systems-principal-systems-engineer). 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). --- # Space Payload Systems/Principal Systems Engineer - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Linthicum Heights, MD, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $87,600.0 - $131,400.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Rhapsody, Verification and Validation (Software), Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Modeling and Simulation - **Published:** September 25, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/usf142e034afb4e4472353270d03549a79/eaa ## About the Role * Systems Engineer: Bachelor Degree in STEM curriculum with 2 years relevant experience; or a MS Degree * Principal Systems Engineer: Bachelor Degree in STEM curriculum with 5 years relevant experience; 3 years with MS Degree; or PhD with 0 years of experience. * Must have an active Top Secret security clearance a time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access. * Systems engineering experience (i.e. requirements, mission engineering, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification and validation), * Space experience * Sensor/payload experience: * Antennas * Radar * EO/IR * Communications * Processing, specifically On-Board Processing * Space vehicle experience * Space ground systems architecture and design experience * Mission engineering, modeling and simulation * Space Mission CONOPS * Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) #SpaceEngJobs #SpaceSysEngJobs #BaltimoreSpace ## Description Northrop Grumman Space Systems is a strategic partner specializing in delivering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for classified and unclassified missions in space. As part of Eastern Region Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (ER-SEIT), you will have the opportunity to experience the entire space design lifecycle. We do it all here, on-site, from sensors to payloads to full up spacecraft, supporting Class A to Class D missions. All the way from early mission and concept design to on-orbit operational support. This position is for a Systems/Principal Systems Engineer to join our Eastern Region Systems Engineering team. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to support efforts on both concept and product development to deliver key solutions to our customers. We cover a wide variety expertise within the systems engineering domain. This includes mission engineering, requirements, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification and validation, and many more! The position will be responsible for supporting and leading systems engineering tasks for space subsystems, payloads and/or vehicles. These may include, but are not limited to: * Requirements analysis, derivation, and management * Mission Engineering, modeling, and analysis * Architecture and CONOPs development * Systems modeling and simulation * Functional analysis * Timeline analysis * Trade studies * Technical planning * Cost and risk analysis * Interface definition * System design * System integration and test * Verification and Validation planning and execution * Supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. * Some tools you could expect to use are: DOORS, STK, Cameo, Rhapsody, MATLAB, python This position can be staffed at a Principal or Sr. Principal level, based on the basic qualifications below ## Related Videos - [What I learned as a developer from accidents in space](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/642-what-i-learned-as-a-developer-from-accidents-in-space) - [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) - [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) - [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) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce) ## Related Articles - [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) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [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) - [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) - [The Ultimate Software Engineer Career Path Guide for 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/146-the-ultimate-software-engineer-career-path-guide-for-2023)