Senior Principal Engineer Electronics - Payloads (California)

CORP-Corporate Office

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US-California-San Diego Until 8/28/2026 8+ years exp First posted June 29, 2026 Last posted June 29, 2026
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add Senior Principal Engineer Electronics - Payloads to join our team in San Diego, CA and will be primarily based within our office spaces to support the program and business needs.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility.  There is NO remote / hybrid / telework available for this position.  Travel up to 10% may be required.

This candidate will be responsible for evaluating Payload electrical systems, products, components, and applications by designing and testing products.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution of a payload system throughout the entire development, demonstration, and production phases.

  • Work on Stores Management Systems (SMS) / Suspension and Release Equipment (S&RE) related hardware and software requirements and in the definition, design, integration, test, and certification (end-to-end development) and operation of SMS and S&RE.

  • Utilize governing standards to include UAI Platform-Store ICD, MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, AS5653, etc., and prepare detailed requirements specifications, statements of work, test plans and procedures, certification plans and procedures, performance reports, etc., related to these governing standards.

  • Understand all system requirements, develop statements of work, specifications and interface control documents, prepare, monitor and update program schedules, conduct and participate in all related design reviews, and provide technical guidance to the cross-functional team.

  • Be a highly motivated self-starter with an ability to operate effectively in a team of engineers and technicians.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 3 years of related engineering experience

  • Practical experience working with payload systems

  • General understanding of Universal Armament Interface (UAI) compliant MIL-STD-1760 Stores Management Systems (SMS), MIL-STD-1553 and Suspension and Release Equipment (S&RE).

  • Experience with Stores Management Systems (SMS) / Suspension and Release Equipment (S&RE) related hardware and software requirements

  • Requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution of a payload system

  • Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret SCI clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with Stores Management Systems (SMS) / Suspension and Release Equipment (S&RE) related hardware and software requirements

  • Active Special Program Access

  • Requirements management, system integration, test plan development, and test execution of a payload system

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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 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.
About this role

Summary

Design, test, and evaluate payload electronic systems for defense applications.

Job title

Senior Principal Engineer Electronics - Payloads

Experience level

8+ years

Minimum experience

8+ years exp

Industry

defense

Location requirements

On-site in San Diego, no remote work allowed

Salary

$142k–$213k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

STEM degreepayload systemsMIL-STD-1553MIL-STD-1760UAI

Preferred skills

Requirements managementsystem integrationtest plan developmenthardware and software requirementsActive Special Program Access

Specializations

payload systemssystem integrationrequirements managementtest plan developmentpayload hardware
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

San Diego, CA, USA

On-site City