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Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Principal Engineer

Location

Elkton, MD, 21921

Job Type

Other

Date Posted

27 November 2025

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Position: Principal Engineer, System Test Analyst (25-356)

Location: Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO

Relocation Assistance: No relocation assistance available

Clearance Type: Secret

Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time

Position Type/Standard Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours

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-Launch and Missile Defense Systems provides an excellent opportunity for a Principal Engineer System Test - System Test Analyst (25-356) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. This role, based at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO, is crucial in supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and operational levels.

Position Overview:

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a vital part of the Missile Defense System. It provides an essential operational platform that allows the U.S. president, the secretary of defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and tactical levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, monitor battle progress, and actively manage networked sensors and weapon systems to meet global and regional mission goals. C2BMC offers layered missile defense capabilities, delivering an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It functions as a force multiplier by linking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations both worldwide and locally to boost overall performance. Additionally, C2BMC is a crucial component of all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the missile defense system's current and future capabilities.

Participate in developing metrics, statistics, and descriptive analyses to support evaluating the C2BMC system's performance. Conduct research and analysis to identify meaningful patterns and trends from test datasets, using statistical methods to validate or disprove hypotheses about the data. Use techniques like data visualization, simulation, and system modeling to achieve the desired analysis results.

Essential Functions:

  • Assist in developing straightforward solutions to technical problems discovered and create actionable insights for the C2BMC test team and decision makers
  • Collaborate with the development team to communicate key test findings and assist with anomaly resolution
  • Aid in the development of new software tools and maintenance of the existing toolset

Basic Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in a STEM Computer Science, System Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university is preferred, along with 8 years of experience; or a Master's degree (preferred) in a STEM related field with 6 years of relevant work experience; or PhD in a related field with 4 years of relevant experience
  • Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start
  • A DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+, GSEC, SCNP, SSCP, CISSP, CISA, GSE, SCNA, etc.) is required to start
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business needs are required, with some non-standard work hours required for test event schedules
  • Experience with object-oriented programming languages such as Python, Java, etc.
  • Experience working with large data sets
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's Degree in Systems Engineering is highly preferred
  • Certification: INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Certification
  • Certification: Object Management Group Certified Systems Modeling Professional - Model Builder Fundamental (OCSMP - MBF)
  • Experience working in a Linux environment
  • Strong background in Mathematics and Physics
  • Working knowledge of ballistic or non-ballistic missile defense concepts, Command and Control (C2) systems, defense communication systems, the Missile Defense System (MDS) in general, and Space Domain Awareness

What We Can Offer You:

  • Health Plan
  • Savings Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Education Assistance
  • Training and Development
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,200.00 - $136,800.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentive

Frequently Asked Questions

Elkton's engineering sector is growing with moderate competition for senior roles like Principal Engineer. Candidates with specialized skills in systems and mechanical engineering, especially in defense-related fields, have an edge given Northrop Grumman's presence and regional demand.

Certifications such as PMP, PE (Professional Engineer), and specialized system engineering credentials are highly regarded in Elkton for roles at Northrop Grumman. Local defense industry standards often require security clearances, which enhance candidate eligibility.

Principal Engineers typically exhibit expertise in leading complex projects, advanced problem-solving across mechanical, civil, or systems engineering, and strategic design oversight. Their role demands mastery in integrating multidisciplinary engineering solutions beyond routine tasks.

Progression involves acquiring leadership skills, deepening technical knowledge in mechanical or systems engineering, and managing large-scale projects. Gaining certifications and contributing to innovation initiatives can accelerate advancement to Principal Engineer status.

While both roles require leadership, Principal Engineers focus more on hands-on technical design and systems integration, whereas Assistant Chief Engineers tend to oversee broader operational management and resource allocation within engineering departments.

Northrop Grumman emphasizes cutting-edge defense technology development, so their Principal Engineers often engage in advanced systems engineering and mechanical design unique to aerospace and government projects, demanding high security clearance and innovation.

Northrop Grumman offers Principal Engineers opportunities in defense-related R&D with access to proprietary technologies, fostering deeper specialization and leadership in government contracting environments, which contrasts with more commercial-focused engineering roles locally.

Principal Engineers in Elkton typically earn between $120,000 and $150,000 annually, reflecting the high demand for senior engineering expertise in defense and aerospace sectors, with compensation often increased by bonuses and security clearance premiums.

Challenges include aligning complex defense system requirements with tight security protocols, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and navigating evolving government regulations, all while maintaining innovation and project timelines.

Elkton's proximity to coastal zones requires Principal Civil Engineers to integrate robust flood mitigation and sustainable design practices, adapting infrastructure projects to regional climate considerations more than inland areas.

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