Northrop Grumman employment opportunities in 2026
Northrop Grumman has 855 active space-related job openings on Zero G Talent — the fifth-largest among space employers. The company's $95.7 billion record backlog and $41.95 billion in 2025 revenue mean employment opportunities are sustained for years. Here's a focused overview of where and what Northrop is hiring.
Employment by sector
| Sector | Major Programs | Key Locations | Employment Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Systems | SDA satellites, Cygnus, JWST support | Redondo Beach, CA | Satellite design, spacecraft integration |
| Aeronautics Systems | B-21 Raider stealth bomber | Palmdale, CA | Manufacturing, avionics, flight test |
| Defense Systems | Sentinel ICBM, missile defense | Huntsville, AL | Propulsion, GNC, electronics |
| Mission Systems | IBCS battle command, electronic warfare | Baltimore, MD; San Diego, CA | Software, systems integration |
Highest-demand roles: Systems engineers, software engineers (IBCS driving 5-year $481M contract), satellite integration engineers (SDA Tranche 3: $764M for 18 satellites), and cleared defense engineers.
Salary ranges
| Role | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Engineer | $72K-$151K | Avg $102K |
| Aerospace Engineer | $140K-$165K | Highest base among defense primes |
| Software Engineer | $88K-$148K | Software interns: $40/hr |
| Senior Software Engineer | ~$147K avg | |
| Systems Engineer | $100K-$155K | |
| Propulsion Engineer | ~$133K avg | |
| Cleared positions | +$10K-$30K premium | TS/SCI |
Northrop offers the highest base salaries among defense primes for aerospace engineers ($140K-$165K), beating Lockheed Martin ($102K-$154K) and Boeing ($120K-$160K).
Benefits
- 9/80 schedule at most sites — every other Friday off
- Pension available for eligible employees
- 401(k) matching
- Health/dental/vision insurance
- Tuition reimbursement up to ~$10K/year
- Work-life balance: Glassdoor 4.1/5 (highest in aerospace)
Security clearance is the single biggest differentiator for Northrop Grumman employment. Most space roles require Secret or TS/SCI. If you already hold a clearance, you skip 6-18 months of processing and face significantly less competition. Cleared candidates with aerospace engineering backgrounds are Northrop's most in-demand hire profile.
How to apply
- Online application through Northrop's careers portal (northropgrumman.com/careers) or standard job boards
- HR screen against specific qualification requirements
- Phone interview with recruiter (30 min)
- Technical interview (1-2 rounds) — domain expertise + behavioral competencies
- On-site or panel for senior roles
- Offer conditional on background check and clearance
The process is more structured than SpaceX but less bureaucratic than federal hiring. Focus your preparation on demonstrating specific technical expertise in your domain.
Glassdoor ratings
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3.9/5 (13,073 reviews) |
| Work-Life Balance | 4.1/5 |
| Career Opportunities | 3.8/5 |
| Culture & Values | 3.7/5 |
| Recommend to friend | 77% |
Browse all 855 Northrop Grumman positions, or see our full Northrop Grumman careers guide and internship program (2,000+ spots, 76% conversion). Compare with Lockheed Martin, Boeing, or RTX/Raytheon.
