📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer - Space/Satellite - Top Secret
Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Dulles, VA, United States
Job Type: On-site, Full-Time
Category: Systems Engineering
Date Posted: June 11, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success as a Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman.
Troubleshoot and develop solutions to complex problems, and provide significant support to the entire space segment technical team.
Collaborate with cross-discipline team members to achieve program goals, with a focus on operating within budget and on schedule.
Mentor, coach, train, guide, direct, and advise junior staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge space systems, requiring a strong background in systems engineering and integration, as well as the ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Systems Engineering & Integration: Lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success. Troubleshoot and develop solutions to complex problems that the program may encounter.
Technical Management: Plan and conduct technical reviews and technical baseline. Write status and technical performance reviews and reports. Manage program elements and technical oversight of subcontractors.
Mentoring & Teamwork: Mentor, coach, train, guide, direct, and advise junior staff. Collaborate with cross-discipline team members to achieve the goals of the program team.
Risk Mitigation: Recognize and mitigate technical issues and risks while operating within budget and on schedule.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work with a diverse community of engineers and managers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s in Engineering, Physics, or related STEM Degree with 5 years of experience in a related engineering field, or a Master’s Degree and 3 years of applicable experience.

Experience: Proven experience in systems engineering and integration of complex systems, including space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations, with previous technical or project leadership positions.

Required Skills:

Systems engineering and integration of complex systems
Space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations
Previous technical or project leadership positions
Understanding of spacecraft or space systems detailed design, integration & test
Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the field

Preferred Skills:

Active or current TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance
Experience in system architecture & CONOPs development
Experience with Integration & Test of spacecraft systems
Experience with various technical tools such as MATLAB, STK, CORE, DOORS, or CAMEO
Experience and/or training in Earned Value Management Systems

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong foundation in systems engineering principles, with a preference for candidates who have experience in space systems development and integration, as well as technical leadership skills.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience in systems engineering and integration of complex systems, with a focus on space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations.
Showcase previous technical or project leadership positions, highlighting your ability to lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success.
Highlight your experience in troubleshooting and developing solutions to complex problems, and your ability to recognize and mitigate technical issues and risks.

Technical Documentation:

Provide examples of technical reviews, technical baseline plans, and status reports you have written or contributed to.
Demonstrate your experience in managing program elements and providing technical oversight of subcontractors.
Showcase your mentoring and coaching skills, with examples of how you have guided and advised junior staff.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,300.00 - $165,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Health Insurance Coverage
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Savings Plan
Company Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of working up to 10% of the time on travel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture: Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, with a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. The company values diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance, and offers a comprehensive benefits package to support its employees' personal and professional growth.

Team Structure: The Principal Systems Engineer will be part of the space segment technical team, working closely with cross-discipline team members to achieve program goals. The team is multi-disciplined, with expertise in various aspects of space systems development, manufacture, test, and operations.

Development Methodology: Northrop Grumman uses a structured systems engineering approach, with a focus on collaboration, risk management, and continuous improvement. The company follows established processes and standards for systems engineering, integration, and test, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality.

Company Website: Northrop Grumman

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's culture emphasizes technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation, providing an ideal environment for a Principal Systems Engineer to thrive and make a significant impact on cutting-edge space systems.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Systems Engineering Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a strong background in systems engineering principles and a proven track record of leading and optimizing space vehicle design, processing, and mission success. The Principal Systems Engineer will be expected to provide significant support to the entire space segment technical team, troubleshoot complex problems, and manage technical reviews and reports.

Reporting Structure: The Principal Systems Engineer will report directly to the Space Segment Technical Lead, working closely with cross-discipline team members to achieve program goals. They will also be responsible for mentoring, coaching, training, guiding, directing, and advising junior staff.

Technical Impact: The Principal Systems Engineer will have a significant impact on the success of the space segment, leading and optimizing space vehicle design, processing, and mission success. They will be responsible for recognizing and mitigating technical issues and risks, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: As a Principal Systems Engineer, there will be opportunities to take on more significant technical leadership roles within the organization, such as leading technical teams or serving as a technical expert in specific areas.
Architecture & Design: With experience in system architecture & CONOPs development, there may be opportunities to specialize in architecture and design, working on complex, large-scale systems.
Mentoring & Coaching: By demonstrating strong mentoring and coaching skills, the Principal Systems Engineer may have the opportunity to take on more significant leadership roles within the organization, such as leading technical teams or serving as a technical mentor to other engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth and development, with a focus on technical leadership, architecture and design, and mentoring and coaching. With a strong background in systems engineering and integration, the Principal Systems Engineer will be well-positioned to take on more challenging and impactful roles within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Northrop Grumman's Dulles, VA office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and technical excellence. The office features state-of-the-art technology, comfortable workspaces, and ample meeting and collaboration areas.

Office Location(s): Dulles, VA, United States

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The office features open workspaces, encouraging collaboration and communication among team members.
Technical Infrastructure: The office is equipped with the latest technology, including high-speed internet, advanced software tools, and specialized hardware for systems engineering and integration tasks.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Northrop Grumman's culture emphasizes collaboration and teamwork, with regular interactions between systems engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and other technical specialists.

Work Schedule: The Principal Systems Engineer will typically work a 40-hour workweek, with the possibility of working up to 10% of the time on travel. The work schedule is flexible, with the ability to work overtime as needed to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's Dulles, VA office offers a modern, collaborative work environment designed to support the success of its systems engineering and integration teams. The office's focus on collaboration, technical excellence, and innovation provides an ideal setting for a Principal Systems Engineer to thrive and make a significant impact on cutting-edge space systems.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your qualifications, experience, and interest in the role.
Technical Interview: A deeper dive into your systems engineering and integration experience, with a focus on your ability to lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success. You may be asked to discuss your approach to troubleshooting complex problems, risk mitigation, and technical leadership.
On-Site Interview: A full-day on-site interview, including meetings with team members, a tour of the facility, and a final discussion with the hiring manager. You may be asked to present a technical case study or demonstrate your problem-solving skills through a hands-on exercise.
Final Decision: A final decision will be made based on your qualifications, experience, and cultural fit with the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience in systems engineering and integration, with a focus on space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations.
Showcase your ability to lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success, with examples of complex problems you have troubleshot and solved.
Demonstrate your technical leadership skills, with examples of how you have mentored, coached, trained, guided, directed, and advised junior staff.
Highlight your experience in managing technical reviews, technical baseline plans, and status reports, with a focus on ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your systems engineering and integration knowledge, with a focus on space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations.
Familiarize yourself with Northrop Grumman's systems engineering processes and standards, and be prepared to discuss your approach to risk management, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Prepare examples of complex problems you have troubleshot and solved, and be ready to discuss your approach to technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching.

ATS Keywords: Systems Engineering, Space Systems, Integration, Technical Leadership, Risk Mitigation, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Northrop Grumman, Space Segment, Technical Review, Technical Baseline, Status Report, Mentoring, Coaching, Technical Oversight, Project Management, Space Vehicle Design, Mission Success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, experience, and cultural fit with the team. By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your expertise in systems engineering and integration, you will be well-positioned to succeed in the interview process and secure the Principal Systems Engineer role.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Systems Engineering Tools:

MATLAB
Systems Tool Kit (STK)
CORE
DOORS
CAMEO

Collaboration Tools:

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
SharePoint
JIRA
Confluence

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman uses a variety of tools to support its systems engineering and integration teams, with a focus on collaboration, risk management, and continuous improvement. Familiarity with these tools is essential for success in the Principal Systems Engineer role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Northrop Grumman Values:

Innovation: Northrop Grumman values innovation, with a focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace and defense technology.
Collaboration: The company emphasizes collaboration, with a focus on working together to achieve shared goals and deliver exceptional results.
Integrity: Northrop Grumman is committed to acting with integrity in all aspects of its business, with a focus on ethical decision-making and responsible behavior.
Performance: The company values high performance, with a focus on delivering exceptional results and continuously improving its processes and systems.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Northrop Grumman's culture emphasizes cross-functional integration between systems engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and other technical specialists.
Code Review Culture: The company values a code review culture, with a focus on peer programming, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
Technical Mentoring: Northrop Grumman places a strong emphasis on technical mentoring, with a focus on developing the skills and careers of its engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, integrity, and high performance, providing an ideal environment for a Principal Systems Engineer to thrive and make a significant impact on cutting-edge space systems.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Space Segment Complexity: The space segment is complex, with numerous subsystems and interfaces to manage. The Principal Systems Engineer must be able to navigate this complexity and make informed decisions to optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success.
Risk Mitigation: The Principal Systems Engineer must be able to recognize and mitigate technical issues and risks while operating within budget and on schedule. This requires a strong understanding of systems engineering principles, as well as the ability to make strategic decisions under uncertainty.
Technical Leadership: The Principal Systems Engineer must be able to lead and mentor junior staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning. This requires strong communication skills, as well as the ability to make difficult decisions and manage conflicts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Training: Northrop Grumman offers a variety of technical training opportunities, including courses, workshops, and on-the-job training.
Conferences & Events: The company encourages its engineers to attend industry conferences and events, providing an opportunity to network with other professionals and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in systems engineering and integration.
Mentoring & Coaching: Northrop Grumman places a strong emphasis on technical mentoring, with a focus on developing the skills and careers of its engineers. The Principal Systems Engineer will have the opportunity to work with experienced mentors and coaches, as well as to provide mentoring and coaching to junior staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Principal Systems Engineer role presents significant technical challenges, as well as opportunities for growth and development. By embracing these challenges and taking advantage of Northrop Grumman's learning and development opportunities, the Principal Systems Engineer can build a successful and rewarding career in systems engineering and integration.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Space Segment Fundamentals: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the space segment, including its subsystems, interfaces, and design considerations.
Risk Mitigation Strategies: Be ready to discuss your approach to risk mitigation, with examples of how you have recognized and mitigated technical issues and risks in previous roles.
Technical Leadership: Be prepared to discuss your approach to technical leadership, with examples of how you have mentored, coached, trained, guided, directed, and advised junior staff.

Company & Culture Questions:

Northrop Grumman Culture: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of Northrop Grumman's culture, including its values, collaboration style, and commitment to innovation, integrity, and high performance.
Technical Mentoring: Be ready to discuss your experience with technical mentoring, and how you have used it to develop the skills and careers of junior staff.
Space Systems Development: Be prepared to discuss your experience with space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations, and how it has prepared you for the Principal Systems Engineer role.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Space Segment Focus: Highlight your experience with the space segment, including your ability to lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing, and mission success.
Risk Mitigation Examples: Provide examples of how you have recognized and mitigated technical issues and risks, demonstrating your ability to operate within budget and on schedule.
Technical Leadership Examples: Showcase your experience with technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching, with examples of how you have guided and advised junior staff.

📝 Enhancement Note: By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your expertise in systems engineering and integration, as well as your understanding of Northrop Grumman's culture and values, you will be well-positioned to succeed in the interview process and secure the Principal Systems Engineer role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Systems Engineer - Space/Satellite - Top Secret position at Northrop Grumman:

Submit Your Application: Click the "Apply Now" button on the job posting to submit your application through the Northrop Grumman application portal.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience in systems engineering and integration, with a focus on space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations. Include examples of complex problems you have troubleshot and solved, as well as your approach to technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching.
Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to the Principal Systems Engineer role, emphasizing your experience in systems engineering and integration, as well as your technical leadership skills. Include relevant keywords and phrases to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems.
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on your systems engineering and integration knowledge, with a focus on space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations. Familiarize yourself with Northrop Grumman's systems engineering processes and standards, and be prepared to discuss your approach to risk management, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Research the Company: Learn about Northrop Grumman's culture, values, and commitment to innovation, integrity, and high performance. Understand the company's role in the aerospace and defense industry, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the Principal Systems Engineer role.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Northrop Grumman before making application decisions.

Principal Systems Engineer - Space/Satellite - Top Secret