Sr Principal Engineer Systems - P/L Interface

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Dulles
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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. 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, but they're also making history. This position is part of our Space Sector Eastern Region SEIT Engineering Organization located at Dulles , VA. The specific responsibilities of the Spacecraft Bus Payload Interface Lead are to lead and manage the technical effort to define and verify interfaces between spacecraft bus and payload(s) their assigned mission. Tasking includes developing interface requirements, documenting designs through interface control documents (ICDs), leading interface working groups and design reviews, supervising technical design accommodations, developing interface verification and validation plans, and leading interface testing during integration & test campaigns. This particular role requires familiarity with electrical, electrical systems, and/or RF/Comm payloads. Prior experience working with a mission prime and coordinating engineering activities across divisions is preferred. Job Responsibilities: Drive program technical execution in accordance with Northrop Grumman Systems Engineering processes and best practices. Be self-directed while leveraging your technical and leadership skills to help bring spacecraft bus, payload, launch vehicle, and ground segment Interfaces together to produce a spacecraft meeting contractual and mission requirements. Spearhead development of interface control documents governing all mechanical, electrical, and functional interfaces and interdependencies between spacecraft bus and payloads. Ensure interface requirements are flowed and allocated to the proper program elements/subsystems and accurately documented and linked in the interface management database. Chair interface working groups and reviews with both customers and mission partners. Recognize and mitigate interface related technical issues and risks. Support the planning, design, and execution of testing strategies to verify interface functionality, measure performance, and verify survivability in the extreme launch and space environments. Support development of avionics test benches and simulation environments to verify interface requirements and help burn down overall program technical risk. Play a key role in major program milestone and readiness reviews. Author and provide input to major program data products and other deliverables. Assist process improvement initiatives, and incorporate lessons learned to continue to strengthen the LEOStar-3 product line. Lead by example and be willing to mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise junior staff. Basic Qualifications: A candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or related technical field, and 8 years of applicable experience; a Master’s Degree and 6 years of applicable experience; or a PhD a 4 years of applicable experience Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills and a desire to learn. Experience in systems engineering to include architectural studies, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, and test planning & execution. US Citizenship with ability to get DoD Top Secret Clearance Preferred Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline Experience with GEOStar3 Satellite Architecture Experience in CommSat mission domain Experience in system architecture & CONOPs development Experience with Integration & Test, particularly with production line programs Experience with launch platforms Experience with space vehicle I&T Strong background in EE Systems 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Centreville , Sr Principal Engineer Systems - P/L Interface, Engineering , Dulles, Virginia