Sr Principal Engineer Systems - External Interface (AHT)

Northrop Grumman • Redondo Beach, CA

1d • $142,200 - $213,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is seeking Sr Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4 to join our team in Redondo Beach, CA. In this role, the Sr Principal Systems Interface Engineer will 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.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

• 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.
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior