
Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer
Real job — pulled straight from Northrop Grumman’s careers page · Verified October 4, 2026 · No reposts.
Job description
Northrop Grumman is hiring a Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer — a full-time, based in San Diego, CA role ($177k–$266k). Apply directly on Northrop Grumman's careers page below.
Sr. Principal Subsystems Engineer
Location: United States-California-San Diego
Time Type: Full time
Job Description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.Job Description
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr. Principal Subsystems Engineer to join our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization.
This candidate will be responsible for the installation, integration and troubleshooting of aviation related Subsystems, component sub-systems, Sensor Management Units, Vehicle Test Controller and Data Recorders.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Lead Subsystems Lab Integration
- System integration, test development and execution of various types of complex avionics systems
- Create and develop documentation for system requirements and interfaces, including system engineering drawings and diagrams
- Troubleshoot systems to resolve complex issues, interact and coordinate with responsible Subsystems engineers responsible for sustaining subsystems
- Serve as an interface between the Operations & Test organization and the engineers
- Ensure Subsystems performance meets specified levels
- Proactively maintain overall system performance of deployed systems
- Perform troubleshooting, document issues and coordinate field replacements/upgrades of Subsystems
- Contribute to improvement of processes, design and future sustainment efforts
- Actively participate in Program Risk and Opportunity Management
- Must be a self-directed technical performer with strong communication skills, demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary technical trades, and ability to develop & execute to a strategy
Hybrid: The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. Once established in role, the position could potentially offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion.
This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
This position can be filled at the Sr. Principal Subsystems Engineer level, qualifications below.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 3 years of related engineering experience.
- Must have an active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Familiarity with systems engineering processes at the sub-system, system and system-of-systems levels.
- Experience with installation, integration and troubleshooting of aviation related subsystems
- Experience with Ethernet and TCP/IP
- experience using mechanical and electrical drawings
- Experience with Windows and Linux operating systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with Atlassian software development and collaboration tool set (Jira and Confluence)
- Experience with concurrent hardware and software development
- Experience with component selection for system development
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Frequently asked questions
What is the salary for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
The estimated salary range for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman is $177,000 - $266,000 USD per year.
What skills are required for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
The required skills for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman include: Ethernet, TCP/IP, Windows, Linux, JIRA, Confluence.
What is the seniority level for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman is a Senior / Principal level position.
How do I apply for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
You can view the full description and apply for Senior Principal Subsystems Engineer at Northrop Grumman on EchoJobs: https://echojobs.io/job/northrop-grumman-sr-principal-subsystems-engineer-nku61.