Principal Engineer Systems (26-036)

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Colorado Springs
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: 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 Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for a Principal Engineer Systems (26-036) to join our talented and diverse team. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, or Huntsville, AL, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels. This position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options. Position Overview: The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a key part of the Missile Defense System. It is an essential operational system that enables the U.S. president, the secretary of defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and operational levels to plan ballistic missile defense efforts systematically, monitor the battle collectively, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission objectives. C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities that deliver an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It serves as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations worldwide and regionally, thereby boosting performance. C2BMC is crucial for all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the current and future capabilities of the missile defense system. This role will handle some or all of the duties listed below, with a focus on early-phase activities such as concept development, requirements gathering, and design within the Systems Engineering Development Lifecycle. Essential Functions: Facilitate the development of new system concepts by converting stakeholder needs, gathered through documentation and solicitation, into clear and reviewable technical approaches Perform requirements elicitation and decomposition using behavioral artifacts such as use cases, activity diagrams, and sequence diagrams to demonstrate understanding of the required behaviors and system performance Support the development of physical and logical system models that capture the system under development using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and tools Support system interface development, as outlined in Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and Interface Design Descriptions (IDDs), by translating system and interface requirements into detailed message-level specifications that facilitate interface development coordination Support both formal and informal engineering technical reviews Review and critique interface documents, system requirements, verification documentation, architectural documentation, and engineering estimates Interface with key stakeholders, including the MDA customer and working-level counterparts, as needed Participate in Agile development planning and execution, including iteration planning and status reporting Basic Qualifications: Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable. A Bachelor’s Degree in STEM Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 5 years of experience; or a Master’s degree ( preferred ) in a STEM-related field with 3 years of relevant work experience; or a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant work experience Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs Previous System Engineering experience maintaining frequent internal and external customer contacts and representing the organization in offering solutions to challenging technical issues related to specific projects Preferred Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering is highly preferred Systems Engineer with over 5 years of experience collaborating with teams of systems engineers to develop solutions across all phases of the Systems Engineering Development Lifecycle Certification: INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Certification Certification: Object Management Group Certified Systems Modeling Professional - Model Builder Fundamental (OCSMP - MBF) Candidates for this position should ideally meet some or all of the following preferred qualifications: Proven experience fulfilling all responsibilities of this role Regularly engage with customers, focusing on identifying their needs and requirements Experience with one or more components of the Missile Defense System Experience with one or more components involved in Space Defense, Space Domain Awareness, or other Space Missions Experience with complex Command and Control Systems, particularly those with extensive networking capabilities Experience in performing many responsibilities of this role, especially in concept development and requirement breakdown Experience with MBSE approaches and tools (e.g., Cameo) Experience working on tasks where failure to achieve good results typically leads to program delays and wasted resources Ability to clearly and concisely communicate (both in writing and verbally) with others, present technical information, and accept constructive feedback Ability to handle short notice and urgent tasks efficiently without losing productivity Colorado : $103600 - $155400 Huntsville: $108800 - $163200 What We Can Offer You: Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that promotes your growth, supporting both employees and the company's success. The benefits at Northrop Grumman are flexible and customizable, allowing you to choose options that best meet your needs and those of your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan Savings Plan Paid Time Off Education Assistance Training and Development Flexible Work Arrangements https://benefits.northropgrumman.com/us/en2/BenefitsOverview/Pages/default.aspx NGSpace COSpace NGFeaturedJobs C2BMC Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Littleton , Principal Engineer Systems (26-036), Engineering , Colorado Springs, Colorado