Senior Principal Systems Engineer - COMMS
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 29, 2026. First seen by Alion on Jul 14, 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.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has an opening for Sr. Principal Systems Engineer (Comms) to join our organization. Our organization within Northrop Grumman Mission Systems offers the opportunity to join a team to solve problems in the field and drive new solutions into next generation systems across a wide variety of platforms and environments. You will support the Systems Engineering Integration and Test (SEIT) team on multiple major development programs.
This position is based out of Linthicum, MD and will be 100% on-site.
This position is contingent upon the successful transfer of an active U.S Government Secret Clearance.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Serve as the technical SME for COMMS waveforms, capabilities, and CONOPS across multiple programs and pursuits.
Provide technical consultation and guidance to internal stakeholders (engineering, business development, program management) and external customers.
Develop and maintain COMMS technology roadmaps aligned with emerging customer needs, mission threads, and enterprise strategies.
Coordinate and integrate COMMS activities with adjacent systems and technologies to ensure end-to-end solution coherence.
Lead and/or support technical trades, architecture development, and design reviews related to COMMS solutions.
Supervise, mentor, and provide technical oversight to junior and mid-level engineers working in the COMMS domain.
Review, supervise, and validate performance models, link budgets, and system-level estimates.
Support proposal development, including technical volumes, basis-of-estimate inputs, and customer briefings.
Represent the COMMS product area in internal and external technical forums, working groups, and customer engagements.
Identify technical risks, gaps, and opportunities within the COMMS product area and propose mitigation and investment strategies.
Develop and maintain comms related requirements within systems using existing military radios.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience, Master's degree with 6 years of experience or Ph.D. with 4 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
Experience in Comms applications, including developing and applying models in MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++
Experience in developing and implementing novel systems
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or other related technical fields
Strong understanding of networking strategies including TCP/IP & WAN architectures
Familiar with current network products and technologies such as routers, firewalls, and switches
RF and digital system design & analysis
Antenna theory and operation
Comms integration and testing
System Performance Verification and Component Qualifications for Flight
System Engineering, Requirements Derivation
Design documentation: E.g. Visio, Catia, interconnects and rack elevations
Experience using simulators and test equipment to verify integration of radio within mission system.
Knowledge of message formats for common DoD radio links (e.g., Link16).
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: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The 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.