Skip to content

Systems & Test

Sr Principal Engineer Systems - External Interface (AHT)

Northrop Grumman logoNorthrop Grumman$142,200–$213,400/yrRedondo Beach, CA, United StatesFull timePosted 1mo ago

About the job

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI 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’s Space Systems Sector is seeking Sr Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4to 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 Engineerwill 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 - Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 8 years of engineering experience OR, Master's 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 - $213,400.00 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

From Northrop Grumman's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

Selected agencies hiring now

These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.

Sponsored

Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.

Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.

New systems engineering, integration and test jobs in space in California, by email

One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.

About Northrop Grumman

Satellites, space telescopes, cargo spacecraft and rocket boosters, inside a defense prime.

Pay on its listings: 98% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Northrop Grumman's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

More open jobs at Northrop Grumman

More systems engineering, integration and test jobs in space

A systems, integration or test engineer?

One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.

Create my profile

Northrop Grumman openings, sent to you weekly

Each week we send the newest postings from Northrop Grumman's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.