Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer Systems - Computer Based Control Systems (CBCS)

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Mc Lean
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: No 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. This Systems Engineering position is an engineering support role for Computer Based Control Systems (CBCS) on the Habitat and Logistics Outpost (HALO) program based in McLean, VA. The candidate must be able to assist in the formulation of avionics hardware and software system design, definition of concept of operations, and systems analysis. The candidate will have responsibility for coordinating between engineering subsystems and with integration and test engineers for the successful design, implementation, and test of the avionics aspects of a space system. The candidate will serve as a team member and/or CBCS lead depending on experience and skills. The candidate must be able to assist in the formulation of system design, definition of concept of operations, and systems analysis. Responsibilities will also include interaction with program, functional and customer leadership. We are seeking a highly skilled Aerospace Systems Engineer with expertise in implementing and validating networking technologies for space applications. In this role, you will contribute to the design, integration, and testing of advanced network communication systems and their software interfaces, ensuring their reliability and performance in the demanding space environment. Your responsibilities will include collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop system architectures, conducting rigorous validation and qualification processes, and supporting the transition of cutting-edge technologies from airborne to spaceborne platforms. Given the limited heritage of Ethernet technologies in space, candidates with applicable networking experience in airborne Ethernet systems are strongly encouraged to apply. A solid understanding of Ethernet protocols, fault tolerance, and system level integration is essential. This position requires a proactive engineer capable of adapting existing technologies to meet the unique challenges of space, with a commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in aerospace communications. Responsibilities/Duties : Evaluate design documentation and verification for compliance with customer and internally derived requirements Support integrated software build creation and suite management Support software configuration management and control Develop software architecture and ConOps/detailed design Responsibility for integrated computer and network performance and functionality Provide support to selected elements of the program Systems Engineering Team Contribute to the technical tasks supporting the program Provide systems engineering support for technical reviews Write status and technical performance reviews, analyses and reports Basic Qualifications: Principal Systems Engineer - Bachelors of Science degree in technical field and 5 years of experience, Master’s Degree and 3 years of experience; or a PhD and 0 years of experience Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - Bachelors of Science degree in technical field and 8 years of experience, Master’s Degree and 6 years of experience; or a PhD and 4 years of experience Experience with design and implementation of computer-based control systems (CBCS), their avionics, and software and hardware integration of aerospace and/or military vehicles Experience with architecture development Familiarity with electrical & computer systems Experience with spacecraft software design and implementation Experience with Systems Engineering process Understanding of spacecraft integration & test, launch, and mission operations Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD security clearance Must have experience with at least one of ARINC 664, SAE AS6802, Time-Triggered Ethernet, or deterministic networking. Preferred Qualifications: Experience designing and implementing networks Familiarity with VxWorks, Network Time Protocol (NTP), IPv4, protocol stack, Time-Triggered Ethernet (TTE) in an aerospace and/or military vehicle context. Experience defining requirements & interfaces Experience developing verification documentation Familiarity with command and telemetry database development Experience with agile management as a scrum lead/ scrum master Master’s degree in a technical discipline Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00 Secondary 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, Richmond , Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer Systems - Computer Based Control Systems (CBCS), Engineering , Mc Lean, Virginia