Staff Engineer Systems Test
Northrop Grumman
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San Diego, CA · Posted October 19, 2026
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About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time 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.
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.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has an opening for a Staff Engineer Systems Test role (level 5) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in San Diego, CA .
In this role, success comes with being a self-starter with experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment and partnering with engineering, cybersecurity, program, and stakeholder teams to support program execution across Development and Sustainment activities.
Roles and Responsibilities include:
Support Development and Sustainment programs by identifying systems test engineering risks and supporting the design, development, integration, test, and verification of system solutions.
Engage customer counterparts and internal stakeholders to drive improvements to the total system architecture.
Support test requirements management activities, including review of verification and validation plans.
Coordinate with systems engineering, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders to support systems test engineering execution across the system lifecycle.
Support preparation and presentation of systems test engineering materials for program reviews, working groups, and stakeholder discussions.
Apply systems thinking to evaluate impacts across system architecture, operational constraints, and mission needs.
Support process improvement efforts that strengthen engineering execution, traceability, planning, and closure discipline.
Support the SEIT Lead, IPT lead, and Chief Engineer with planning, execution, and closing out program reviews and milestones.
Support the Chief Engineer with collection and management of key systems engineering metrics and Technical Performance Measures.
Continually coordinate between engineering leads to ensure the integrity and executability of the program technical baseline, including identification of technical debt and coordination of system/product componentry integration across the product teams.
This role requires full-time onsite work at the Rancho Carmel, CA facility. There is no remote, hybrid, or telework availability for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required in support of program needs.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) 12 Years with BS; 10 Years with Masters; 8 Years with PhD
Must have experience in one or more Systems Test Engineering areas such as system design development, verification and validation, requirements management, requirements verification, or system lifecycle execution.
Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to work 100% on-site full-time in San Diego, CA
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders.
Experience in Agile process
Experience with risk and opportunity management
Familiarity with DOORS or Cameo
Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management
Experience in cybersecurity vulnerability management
Primary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $241,400.00
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.