Principal Engineer Ground Systems Hardware Installation/Sr Principal Engineer Ground Systems Hardware Installation
This posting asks for U.S. citizenship. It also names a Top Secret clearance.
The posting offers relocation. More space jobs with relocation
About the role
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 50% 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 Sector is seeking a Principal Engineer Ground Systems Hardware Installation / Sr Principal Engineer Ground Systems Hardware Installation to join our team in Manhattan Beach, CA.
The Ground Systems Development & Products Department (part of Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector) in Manhattan Beach, CA is seeking a Principal Engineer Ground Systems Hardware Installation/Sr Principal Engineer Ground Systems Hardware Installation to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Manhattan Beach, CA and will have opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally to support installation and upgrade support.
They will be responsible for testing, and delivering satellite ground station hardware to customers both domestically and internationally. The successful candidate will have a track record of successfully performing RF and digital hardware installation, testing, and troubleshooting.
The candidate will have an ability to operate in a team environment and collaborate across engineering disciplines to accomplish the team goals. This candidate will also be capable of coordinating with internal and external customers and preparing/presenting the results of their work. Applicant will interface with multiple disciplines including customers, program management, hardware design, system engineering, procurement, suppliers, and manufacturing.
The ideal candidate has a broad range of experience with
- Performing support for several different technical skillsets (Electrical, Mechanical, Software, etc.)
- Integration, and test of: Digital and Analog/RF circuits
- Electronic drawers/units
- Small to large electronic subsystems
Some responsibilities include both performing and leading the following
- Support test planning, test execution, sell-off, and post-delivery support for multiple off-site locations
- Solving challenging critical digital and RF subsystem issues to meet requirements across all delivery variants
- Performing Acceptance Testing for Mission Assurance, Customers, and Technical Representatives
- Providing content for subsystem internal design reviews, test readiness reviews, and End Item Data Package review and sell-off to internal and external customers
Basic Qualifications (Level 3)
- Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline plus with 5 years of hardware engineering experience; OR a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline plus 3 years of hardware engineering experience; OR a PhD. Degree in a STEM discipline plus 1 years of hardware engineering experience
- Demonstrated hardware testing experience at either the board, unit, or subsystem level
- Experience in an electronic test environment that verifies specification requirements
- Previous experience as an electrical engineering hardware designer
- Requires an active Top-Secret clearance at time of application
Basic Qualifications (Level 4)
- Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline plus with 8 years of hardware engineering experience; OR a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline plus 6 years of hardware engineering experience; OR a PhD. Degree in a STEM discipline plus 4 years of hardware engineering experience
- Demonstrated hardware testing experience at either the board, unit, or subsystem level
- Experience in an electronic test environment that verifies specification requirements
- Previous experience as an electrical engineering hardware designer
- Requires an active Top-Secret clearance at time of application
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or STEM Degree
- Experience presenting to technical leadership
- Experience designing, developing, and delivery of ground system hardware
- Experience in analog, RF, or digital test set development and testing
- Experience with ground antenna subsystems
- Experience with hardware installs at a customer site
- Active Top Secret Clearance & SCI access
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
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
Secondary 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.
Copied from the listing Northrop Grumman published, verified 1 Nov 2026.
About Northrop Grumman
Satellites, space telescopes, cargo spacecraft and rocket boosters, inside a defense prime.
Similar open roles

Security Officer (opens the job details)
Blue Origin · Supply Chain · Space Coast, FL, United States· 1mo agoDetails

Summer 2027 Software Developer Internship - Graduate (opens the job details)
Blue Origin · Software & IT · Greater Seattle Area· 2w agoDetails
$38/hr
Vehicle Software Engineer - Summer Internship 2027 (opens the job details)
Inversion Space · Flight Software · Playa Vista, California, United States· 1w agoDetails

Manager, Information Security Management (opens the job details)
SES · Software & IT · McLean, VA, United States· 1d agoDetails
$136,000–$187,000/yr
Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2027 (opens the job details)
Lockheed Martin · Software & IT · Sunnyvale, CA, United States· 4d agoDetails
$25.18–$35.19/hr
Experienced in Manufacturing & Technicians?
Space employers come to us looking for a particular skill, location or credential. Leave your details one time, at no cost, and we put you forward when a role matches, never without your yes.
Northrop Grumman openings, sent to your inbox
Each week we send what Northrop Grumman posted since the last email, with comparable openings at other space companies. No cost, and you can stop it with one click.
Hiring for Northrop Grumman? Feature this role to get a marked Featured slot above the lists and the lead place in the weekly job email for 30 days. Pricing:$99 for a single role, or $299 to cover every role you have open. To see who else is hiring your disciplines and at what pay, read the monthly space hiring brief.