
Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer
Real job — pulled straight from Northrop Grumman’s careers page · Verified July 15, 2026 · No reposts.
Job description
Northrop Grumman is hiring a Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer — a full-time, based in Linthicum, MD role ($88k–$158k). Apply directly on Northrop Grumman's careers page below.
Space Payload Systems/Principal Systems Engineer
Location: United States-Maryland-Linthicum
Time Type: Full time
Job Description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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.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:
Basic Qualifications:
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)
Preferred Qualifications:
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)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the salary for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
The estimated salary range for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman is $88,000 - $158,000 USD per year.
What skills are required for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
The required skills for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman include: Matlab, Python.
What is the seniority level for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman is a Principal level position.
How do I apply for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
You can view the full description and apply for Space Payload Systems Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman on EchoJobs: https://echojobs.io/job/northrop-grumman-space-payload-systems-principal-systems-engineer-ojx5v.