
Sr Principal/Staff Systems Engineer
Compensation
Ready to Apply?
This will take you to Northrop Grumman's application page
Job Description
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.Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer or Staff Systems Engineer to join our team supporting our DARC program. This position is based in Colorado Springs, CO (preferred), but can also be located in Baltimore, MD, Bellevue, NE, OR Space Park, CA.
Relocation assistance is MAY available for this position. Salary information displayed is based on Colorado Springs, CO.
The selected engineer will perform as a member of an interdisciplinary team on key efforts to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems. The successful engineer will contribute to the overall development of Radar Performance Algorithms, including System Concept of Operations (CONOPs) Development, System Mission and Mode Development, Kinematic Trajectory Threat Analysis, Modeling and Simulation of Mission Scenarios, Technology Trade Studies, Requirements Development and Derivation for Radar System Operational Performance, Performance Analysis, Data Analysis, and work with cross-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
Job responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Support development and integration of radar algorithms to meet system mission and mode performance objectives
Requirements development, analysis, implementation planning for translating system requirements into algorithm design
Performing functional and performance analyses
Development of mathematical algorithms for mode/sensor implementation
Develop software integration planning for system algorithms to model behavior of systems in real-time for radar platform
Solicit input from various stakeholders, synthesize data, and communicate results to various levels of leadership within the organization.
Perform mission engineering activities to ensure continuity between desired operational capabilities and delivered system performance, through the Systems Engineering “V”. Ensure performance capabilities of new systems and architectures are traded against cost and mission requirements and assess operational effectiveness of existing and emerging systems and capabilities in representative operational environments.
Guiding the team through development/implementation activities
This requisition can either be filled as a Sr. Principal or Staff Systems Engineer depending on the candidate's experience as laid out in the basic qualifications detailed below as well as the interview assessment.
Basic Qualifications
Sr. Principal Systems Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university AND 8 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university AND 6 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; OR a Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering.
Staff Systems Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university AND 12 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university AND 10 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering; OR a Ph.D. AND 8 years of related professional/military experience in Engineering.
Active Secret clearance at the time of application
Expertise with MATLAB and code prototyping
Experience working through the Systems Engineering lifecycle process for system development
Experience with Signals processing
Experience with Radar Systems
Experience with radar Blake Charts for operational performance analysis
Experience with Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, etc)
Experience with SharePoint
Experience with MS Office tool suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Project)
Strong problem-solving skills and a demonstrated ability to project plan and execute
Demonstrated independent planning, organization, and working in cross-functional teams with a customer focus
Preferred Qualifications
Active Top Secret clearance at the time of application with SCI eligibility
Experience with Python, C/C++, Java or related programming languages
Experience in Agile methodology (Kanban, Scrum, etc.)
Experience with requirement derivation and decomposition for system design implementation and planning
Optimize Your Resume for This Job
Get a match score and see exactly which keywords you're missing
Job Details
- Category
- Aerospace Engineering
- Employment Type
- Full time
- Location
- COCO01, United States
- Posted
- Jan 18, 2026, 07:00 PM
- Listed
- Jan 19, 2026, 02:27 PM
- Compensation
- $129,300 - $193,900 per year
About Northrop Grumman
Part of the growing space industry ecosystem pushing humanity toward interplanetary exploration.
More Roles at Northrop Grumman
Similar Aerospace Engineering Roles
Found this role interesting?