Sr. Principal Electrical Engineer – Kill Vehicle Avionics Lead

Location: United States-Arizona-Chandler

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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.

This individual will serve in a dual-capacity role as the Sr. Principal Electrical Engineer – Kill Vehicle Avionics Lead and primary technical authority responsible for defining the All Up Round (AUR) electrical system architecture.

In this role, you will manage all product-related development, integration, and testing activities for the KV Avionics, while also ensuring seamless alignment of system-level electrical architecture for the AUR.

Aligned with Northrop Grumman’s product-based organizational structure, the Product Lead will play a key role in coordinating cross-discipline efforts to deliver high-quality products that meet cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a robust background in avionics design, electrical system architecture, hypersonic system engineering, and a proven ability to manage complex product development efforts in collaboration with cross-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).

Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as the GPI Kill Vehicle (KV) Avionics Product Lead, ensuring successful design, development, and delivery of advanced avionics products and related subsystems.
• Lead efforts to define and develop the All Up Round (AUR) electrical system architecture, ensuring alignment across all integrated components and compliance with system and program requirements.
• Oversee and release avionics Statements of Work (SOWs) and technical specifications, ensure timely placement of purchase orders (POs), manage response to vendor queries, ensure effective management of Rapid Action Items Lists (RAILs), and oversee vendor-level testing activities.
• Lead the development of Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) specifications to support test and validation efforts. (EGSE includes tools and equipment used to test, measure, and simulate an electrical system’s behavior in a controlled ground-based environment before flight or deployment.)
• Architect test methodologies, develop detailed block diagrams, and create/oversee the release of testing plans and procedures to evaluate product maturity and performance milestones.
• Oversee critical engineering and programmatic milestones such as PDR and CDR. Define design/test criteria and maturity milestones for AUR and KV avionics.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on KV avionics integration with the broader electrical components of the AUR. Collaborate with foreign and U.S.-based partners to align system development objectives.
• Manage cross-discipline interactions to address electrical system and AUR requirements across the integrated product team and reduce technical risks.
• Serve as a comprehensive point of contact for all electrical and avionics inquiries, including program management, peers in other functional departments, subcontractors, and the customer.
• Provide Cost Account Management (CAM), reporting earned value and variances, and supporting master schedule planning for electrical and avionics tasks.
• Lead system-level testing for the KV Avionics and AUR system electrical components, ensuring test readiness and the successful execution of planned events.
• Lead data analysis from qualification and characterization testing, evaluate design iterations, and resolve nonconformances through root-cause problem-solving methodologies.
• Mentor and train team members by promoting a collaborative environment that fosters teamwork, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline with 9+ years of related experience (Master’s degree with 7+ years acceptable).
• Electrical engineering focus preferred.
• U.S. Citizenship required with the ability to obtain a Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance (or higher).
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams in product development and system integration.
• Experience defining and managing electrical architectures for multi-component systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance, SAP access, and/or SCI access.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary Integrated Product Team (IPT) environments within a product-based organizational structure.
• Hands-on experience with hypersonic systems, missile defense programs, and DOD platforms, including engineering and integration of missile avionics.
• In-depth expertise designing, qualifying, testing, and integrating electrical components or subsystems throughout the product lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead Product Teams or IPTs through technical and organizational challenges.
• Experience managing procured items/components from subcontractors and suppliers, including technical assessments and reviews.
• Background in developing and using test setups, including Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) designed for system-level test and validation. EGSE includes simulation, diagnostic, and monitoring systems to test electrical systems under development.
• Knowledge and use of analytical software tools such as MATLAB or Python for testing and data analysis.
• Experience in managing Earned Value Management System (EVMS) projects and associated reporting.
• Skilled at managing customer engagements and presenting technical/programmatic updates.
• Knowledge of best practices for design-for-manufacture and for managing resources to meet production goals.

Primary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.