Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret 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. Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr Principal Electronics Engineer to join our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization. Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Research, design, development, integration, and test of a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including RF datalinks, SATCOM and Communications Networks as the Comms Resiliency Lead. Maintaining complex RF communications architectures, systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers. Reporting comms status to Program Managers and IPT Management. Primary Responsible Engineer for complex communications subsystem, supplier technical interface, and focal IPT representative for integration support. As the Comms Resiliency Lead, you will be responsible for the technical direction, execution, and oversight of future comms updates on all RQ-4 Enterprise Contracts. You must be able to research new technologies and be able to present adequate replacements for current comms equipment on the fleet. Additional duties include the following: Supervise and mentor the team. Maintain awareness over activities within and across contracts for adherence to development, hardware/software design, integration, and verification/validation activities. Provide technical status and assessment to program leadership and customers. Support assessment of cost and schedule impacts of technical decisions. Ensure the program is adhering to processes and best practices of products for both internal and external customers and is compliant with policies, procedures, and quality standards. As needed, coordinate with the technical lead to ensure execution of program statement of work and technical program requirements are met. Drive process development, continuous improvement, and affordability initiatives. Coordinate with the chair of the Technical Review Board regarding upcoming and current change packages. Mentor lower level comms engineers and provide professional and performance feedback. Facilitate technical support, review, and approval of IFC products and artifacts. Support program reviews and assist in resolution of program engineering challenges (technical, financial, and staffing). Coordinating across programs and functions for common efficiencies and operational gains. Comprehend and analyze complex problems and develop solutions. Once established in role, the position could potentially offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion. This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time. 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 4 years of related engineering experience. Active in-scope, DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance once in position. Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). Preferred Qualifications: Current Active DoD Top Secret Clearance. Strong understanding of Mission Systems. Familiar with current network products and technologies such as routers, firewalls, and switches. Airborne platform integration. Component Qualifications for Flight. System Engineering, Requirements Derivation. 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, Lake Elsinore , Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer, Engineering , San Diego, California