
Sr. Principle Design Engineer
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.This position will be located on-site at our Rocket Center, WV location. No remote work is available for this position.
Rocket Center, WV is located along the North Branch Potomac River in Mineral County, West Virginia and is home to the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL), a government installation operated by Northrop Grumman. Known for its scenic mountain landscapes, rolling hills and state parks, the region offers a multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities to include hiking, mountain biking, skiing, fishing, hunting and whitewater rafting. Where can you get to from Rocket Center? We are just a couple hours from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh and not far from Philadelphia, Virginia and Ohio. If you enjoy a beautiful all-weather climate, low cost of living, zero gridlock traffic, outdoor activities, and easy access to major cities along the east coast - this area has a lot to offer!
Learn more about our site here:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/careers/northrop-grumman-in-rocket-center-west-virginia
The Sr. Principal Design Engineer designs components or portions of a functional system to develop or improve products and facilitate manufacturing operations. Develops basic data and makes preliminary layouts, sketches, and notes necessary to present design definition. Investigates pertinent design factors such as ease of manufacture, availability of materials and equipment, interchangeability, strength-weight efficiency, and contractual specification requirements and cost. Coordinates with other organizations affected by design development. Makes layouts of complex assemblies and details parts of devices, mechanisms, and structures. Checks completed layouts and drawings for clarity, completeness, conformity to standards, procedures, specifications, and accuracy of calculations and dimensioning. Identifies design errors, omissions, and other deficiencies, and recommends revisions and/or improvements in design layout to responsible engineers or designers.
Primary Functions:
This position is for a Sr. Principal Design Engineer with broad interests whose expertise can be applied to the development of cutting-edge military programs. Responsibilities include:
- Participate on Integrated Product Teams for complex development programs
- Develop electronic products from a paper design to actual hardware build
- Test and debug circuit cards and assemblies; fuzes and ISDs
- Develop and maintain product technical data package
- Identify and lead resolution of technical challenges
- Strong ability to organize/prioritize job assignments and tasks in a demanding environment
- Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively within a development team
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Design Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM field with 8+ years of directly related professional working experience or Master's degree in STEM field with 6+years of directly related professional working experience or 12+ years of directly related professional working experience in lieu of degree
- Experience in developing electronic subsystems from initial design through qualification
- Must be able to read drawings and schematic diagrams
- Knowledge of industry and military specifications
- Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- 50+ hours of STEM education in the field of electronics; can be military training
- 20+ years of work experience in electronic subsystems in lieu of STEM degree
- Good self-organization, and communication skills
- Experience with DoD architectures and Industry/Military Standards (e.g. MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-331, MIL-STD-1901A, MIL-STD-1316)
- ACTIVE US Security Clearance at Secret level or higher
Optimize Your Resume for This Job
Get a match score and see exactly which keywords you're missing
Job Details
- Category
- Mechanical
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Rocket Center, WV
- Posted
- Mar 29, 2026, 08:00 PM
- Listed
- Mar 30, 2026, 05:08 PM
- Compensation
- $111,700 - $167,500 per year
About Northrop Grumman
Part of the growing space & AI ecosystem pushing the frontiers of technology.
More Roles at Northrop Grumman





Similar Mechanical Roles



Found this role interesting?