Sr Principal Engineer Systems - External Interface (AHT)

Northrop Grumman

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Redondo Beach, California

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PERMANENT

Updated 09/22/2026

Job Description

Job Summary

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START

Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE

SCITRAVEL:

Yes, 10 of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact peoples 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 nations 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, theyre making history.

Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Sector is seeking Sr Principal Systems Engineer - Level 4 to join our team in Redondo Beach, CA.

•Please be aware that this position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding.

In this role, the Sr Principal Systems Interface Engineer will lead the definition, integration, and verification of system-to-system interfaces across complex space architectures. In this role, you will own the technical baseline for external interfaces between payloads, spacecraft buses, ground segments, and external mission partners, ensuring end-to-end interoperability, performance, and compliance with program requirements.

You will work closely with systems engineering, hardware, software, and customer teams to decompose requirements, develop interface control documentation, and resolve integration issues throughout the program lifecycle.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Own the technical definition and control of external interfaces for assigned subsystems and segments (space, ground, and cross-segment) and collaborating with diverse engineering design teams to assist in managing technical baseline.
• Develop, maintain, and baseline Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Interface Requirement Specifications, and related configuration-managed artifacts.
• Decompose system-level requirements into interface requirements and allocate them to subsystems and components.
• Lead and participate in interface working groups, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintenance of Interfaces in DOORS Database, driving documentation into Digital Transformation
• Supporting multiple engineering insertions simultaneously while ensuring the various maturations are synchronized
• Coordinate interface definition across mechanical, electrical, data, RF, and software interfaces, ensuring consistency and traceability.
• Perform interface compatibility assessments, margin analyses, and trades to support architecture and design decisions.
• Support integration and test planning for interface verification, including development of test configurations, procedures, and success criteria.
• Investigate and resolve interface-related issues during integration and test, including anomaly triage and corrective action recommendations.
• Ensure interface design and documentation remain aligned with evolving requirements, configuration changes, and customer constraints.
• Contribute to risk identification and mitigation planning related to external interfaces.
• Provide clear technical communication to program leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Review RFCs for potential impacts and communicating internally to generate program responses

Basic Qualifications for Systems Engineer - Level 4:

• Bachelors degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 8 years of engineering experience OR, Masters degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 6 years of experience OR, PhD degree in a STEM discipline with 4 year of experience
• Candidate must have an active SCI at time of application and prior to start date. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.
• Experience developing and managing external interfaces and interface documentation (ICDs, IRDs, & specs) and maintaining configuration control.
• Experience on space systems programs (spacecraft, payloads, ground segment, or mission operations).
• Familiarity with interface standards and industry best practices for space and ground systems.
• Experience working with customer and partner organizations on joint interface definition and control.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, etc.) and model-based or structured systems engineering practices.
• 8+ years of experience performing in a Systems Engineering or related technical discipline
• Understanding of systems engineering principles and processes
• Demonstrated written and oral communications skills through written requirements, test, and evaluation criteria

Preferred Qualifications for Systems Engineer - Level 4:

• Experience in test procedure development, test planning, and/or integration and test
• Familiarity with Model- Driven Systems Engineering languages (SysML /UML) and concepts and CORE knowledge a plus
• Excellent technical writing skills, and team building skills
• Experience in troubleshooting of complex systems
• Experience of working as part of a diverse team in a fast-paced environment

•Please be aware that this position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector?

Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space.

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

Paid Time Off

Health & Wellness Resources

Employee Discounts

Flexible Schedules:

for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.

LosAngelesSpace

LI-DB1

SpaceEngJobs

SpaceSysEngJobs

Primary Level Salary Range:

$142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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 candidates 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 Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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