Northrop Grumman entry-level jobs in 2026: how to get hired
$68K–$90K
Entry Engineer Pay
T1–T2
Entry Levels
~100,000
NG Employees
Northrop Grumman hires thousands of entry-level engineers and technicians each year across its four sectors: Aeronautics, Defense, Mission, and Space Systems.
Entry-level salary by role
| Role | T1 (Associate) | T2 (Engineer) |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer | $68,000–$82,000 | $80,000–$100,000 |
| Software Engineer | $72,000–$88,000 | $85,000–$106,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $65,000–$80,000 | $78,000–$95,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | $68,000–$85,000 | $82,000–$100,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | $62,000–$78,000 | $75,000–$92,000 |
Salaries vary by location. California sites (Redondo Beach, Palmdale, Azusa) pay 10-15% more than Alabama or Utah due to cost of living.
Entry-level hiring pipeline
The most reliable path into Northrop Grumman:
- Internship → Summer intern programs across all sectors. Many entry-level hires are converted interns.
- Direct hire (Pathways) — NG recruits at 100+ universities. Apply via northropgrumman.com/careers.
- Campus recruiting — Fall and spring career fairs. Target schools include Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Purdue, UCLA, USC, CU Boulder.
What entry-level engineers work on
| Sector | Entry Programs | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics | B-21 Raider, autonomous systems | Palmdale, CA; Melbourne, FL |
| Space Systems | JWST ops, classified satellites, SDA | Redondo Beach, CA; Dulles, VA |
| Defense Systems | Missile systems, munitions | Huntsville, AL; Chandler, AZ |
| Mission Systems | Radar, EW, C2 systems | Baltimore, MD; San Diego, CA |
Clearance for new grads
Many NG positions require a security clearance. New graduates typically don't have one — NG sponsors clearances for new hires. The investigation takes 6-18 months. Having a clean background (no drug use, no foreign connections, no significant debt) is the main requirement. U.S. citizenship is required.
Browse Northrop Grumman positions on Zero G Talent, or see our NG internship guide and NG careers overview.