Principal Engineer – Systems

Northrop Grumman

Principal Systems Integrator at Northrop Grumman verifying satellite ground software systems. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate key mission-critical technologies.

Posted 6/17/2026full-timeFairfax • North Carolina, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $108,800 - $171,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Site Hardware deployment, integration, checkout and test through verification complete
Experience with Satellite Ground SW system verification including Command and Control and Space vehicle mission management
Experience with Python
System architecture understanding – ability to comprehend how various components interact and identify potential integration points
Scripting and automation expertise – proficiency in create and maintaining automated test scripts used for verification testing
Communication and collaborations – skill in clearly documenting issues and coordinating with developers across different teams to resolve interaction problems
Diagnostics reasoning – capability to analyze complex integration failures, diagnose software deficiencies through log analysis and debugging tools, trace root cause, and identify patterns across seemingly unrelated issues

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience; 3 years of relevant experience with a Master's; 0 years of relevant experience with a PhD. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Proven experience with ground software system verification, specifically related to Command and Control (C2) and Mission Management (MM).
Strong background in integration and test efforts, including planning, execution, and documentation.
Expertise in testing tools and automation.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with the ability to be cleared to get a CI Poly

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance coverage
Life and disability insurance
Savings plan
Company paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Pythonsystem architecturescriptingautomationtest scriptsverification testingground software system verificationintegrationdiagnostics reasoninglog analysis

Soft Skills

communicationcollaborationdocumentationproblem solvinganalytical thinking

Certifications

Top Secret/SCI clearanceCI Poly