Principal Systems Engineer - Passive Sensing
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 1, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 1, 2026. Northrop Grumman scores B on the Alion truth index.
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.At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we’ll support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.
The EOIR team has a need for a Principal Systems Engineer to support technical work related to sensor/system development work associated with advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) remote sensing. The candidate selected will work across a range of programs to solve disparate challenges while leveraging core knowledge, skills, tools, algorithms, and more. This person will coordinate with guidance from architects for program-specific implementations and will be expected to have regular technical interactions with their multi-disciplinary team members. As our program scope expands, we have the need for more talent, so come join us for this 100% on-site position from Linthicum, MD!
What You’ll Get To Do:
While the family of EOIR programs has a growing set of efforts on both the passive and active sides, this role will focus on system architecture and definition for passive systems. There are several background areas that could be applicable, including hardware selection for airborne sensors, optics, dewars, focal planes, processors, and more; data processing and exploitation, including real-time analysis, ground tests, anomaly resolution, and algorithm development; integration and test experience, including brassboards, lab/ground tests, and flight tests; and software/firmware interactions, to understand how the system actually implements and realizes the work. The team has subject matter experts in these areas, so the candidate selected will need to be able to work with those SMEs to ensure the selected approach meets the customer’s and user’s needs. Our sensors and systems are part of developmental efforts, meaning that your work today will be used by customer for many years in the future.
A strong candidate for this role has experience in airborne and/or space-based EOIR sensors, experience developing and demonstrating passive imaging optical sensors, an interest in demonstrating concepts in labs or similar development areas, and an interest in growing technically.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Support architecture definitions and trade studies for IRAD, CRAD, and execution programs
- Design, develop, integrate, test, and deploy novel EOIR sensors
- Build and maintain physics-based sensor models
- Develop and quantify performance metrics for system performance
- Understand data quality and artifact impacts
- Represent system performance in functional and analytical models
This position is contingent upon the successful transfer of an active DoD Secret Clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, Master's degree with 3 years of experience or Ph.D. with 1 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
- U.S Citizenship is required
- A current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
- Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP)
- Experience with EOIR sensors in a team environment
- Experience in technical computing languages, e.g. Python or Matlab
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in STEM
- Additional experience in EOIR sensors and systems
- Prior radiometry or remote sensing experience
- Experience supporting/defining technical proposals
- Current Top Secret clearance, SAP access(es), and/or SCI access
- Strong communication skills, both for internal and external audiences
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.
Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.
Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00The 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.