Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman

. Work in tandem with a scrum team of software and systems engineers .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $135,800 - $213,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Systems Engineering processes, Agile methodologies, and product management for satellite ground systems. Proficient in defining requirements, integrating software segments, and utilizing tools like JIRA and Confluence to support mission-focused software solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Active TS/SCI ClearanceSystems Engineering ProcessesAgile MethodologiesBehavioral And Structural Architecture DiagramsSpace-Vehicle Command-And-Control Systems

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Requirements DefinitionSoftware IntegrationAutomated TestingBehavioral Architecture DiagramsStructural Architecture DiagramsUse CasesInterface Control DocumentsDatabase DesignSoftware ProtocolsMission Data Processing

Soft Skills

Written CommunicationOral CommunicationCollaborationProblem-SolvingFacilitation

Tools & Technologies

JIRAConfluenceNo Magic CameoKubernetesContainersAutomated Test FrameworksPlaywright

Industry Keywords

Satellite Ground SystemsCommand-And-ControlMission ManagementAgile SprintsSpace Vehicle Subsystems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudKubernetesTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Work in tandem with a scrum team of software and systems engineers
Define product vision, manage the product backlog, and align features with business objectives
Prioritize tasks and facilitate timely delivery of mission-focused software systems solutions
Incorporate user feedback to refine the product roadmap and drive innovation
Define requirements, interfaces, processes, use cases, protocols, schemas, and sequence of interactions driving software design for ground segment functions
Integrate and test software segments, automate tests, verify requirements, and deliver products to operations
Support the program through full life-cycle milestones in Agile sprints
Drive development and execution of features for satellite ground systems
Participate in working groups, research customer needs and interfaces, and translate them into digital artifacts
Support or lead development of verification planning, test requirements, and other key products
Work across requirements and verification, interfaces, architecture and design, integration, test, and sell-off
Engage in sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and reviews
Provide subject matter expertise in space-vehicle command-and-control systems and collaborate with subsystem engineering teams
Conduct demos and briefings for customers and senior leadership
Ensure integration of capabilities, epics, and features with ground satellite software systems
Utilize the Atlassian tool suite, including Jira dashboards and Confluence knowledge bases
Support or lead preparation and execution of milestones and Agile product increments
Engage with multiple working groups and control boards
Report information to leads and customers and operate independently in a dynamic environment

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8+ years of engineering experience, or Master's degree in STEM with 6+ years of engineering experience, or PhD in STEM with 4+ years of engineering experience
Active TS/SCI clearance at time of application and prior to start date
Continued employment subject to maintaining the required clearance and program access
2+ years of experience developing and evaluating behavioral and structural architecture diagrams using MBSE methodology and tooling or equivalent
2+ years of experience using No Magic Cameo or equivalent
Experience with space-vehicle, command-and-control, mission management, mission data processing, or software subsystems
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills through written requirements, test, and evaluation criteria
2+ years of experience with Systems Engineering processes and artifacts supporting software development, including use cases, interface control documents, class diagrams, sequence diagrams, database design, schema development, and software protocols such as REST, HTTP, and RESP or equivalent
Experience working on Agile programs and methodology
U.S. Citizenship required for positions with a government clearance
Preferred: 3+ years of experience with command-and-control, network management, flight dynamics, and/or orbit determination for space-vehicle-related software systems
Preferred: Experience with Space Vehicle Subsystems including thermal, power, attitude control system, propulsion, and/or communications
Preferred: Familiarity with cloud-based architectures such as Kubernetes, containers, and orchestrators
Preferred: Experience working mission-focused threads
Preferred: Experience with the software development lifecycle
Preferred: Experience with JIRA/Confluence
Preferred: Experience working with a geographically distributed team
Preferred: Experience with Automated Test and Integration frameworks including Playwright

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance may be available
Health insurance coverage
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Savings plan
Company-paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
Eligible employees may receive overtime
Eligible employees may receive shift differential
Discretionary bonus
Annual bonuses
Long Term Incentives may be available for Vice President or Director positions