[Skip to main content](#main-content) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) [Hiring report](/reports/hiring/) · [All Northrop Grumman jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/) · [Search jobs](/search/) Northrop Grumman · United States-Maryland-Linthicum # Principal / Sr. Principal Space Payload Systems Engineer (AHT) United States-Maryland-Linthicum Full-time Senior individual contributor $105,400.00 - $158,000.00 Operations Listed on Northrop Grumman’s official careers site. Posted September 23, 2026. Check that it is still open and apply there. [Apply on Northrop Grumman’s careers site →](https://ngc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Northrop_Grumman_External_Site/job/United-States-Maryland-Linthicum/Principal---Sr-Principal-Space-Payload-Systems-Engineer--AHT-_R10252318-1) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) / [Northrop Grumman](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/) / Principal / Sr. Principal Space Payload Systems Engineer (AHT) ## Job description ### RELOCATION ASSISTANCE Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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. Northrop Grumman Space Systems is a strategic partner specializing in delivering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for classified and unclassified missions in space. As part of Eastern Region Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (ER-SEIT), you will have the opportunity to experience the entire space design lifecycle. We do it all here, on-site, from sensors to payloads to full up spacecraft, supporting Class A to Class D missions. All the way from early mission and concept design to on-orbit operational support. This position is for a Principal or Sr Principal Systems Engineer to join our Eastern Region Systems Engineering team. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to support efforts on both concept and product development to deliver key solutions to our customers. We cover a wide variety expertise within the systems engineering domain. This includes mission engineering, requirements, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification and validation, and many more! The position will be responsible for supporting and leading systems engineering tasks for space subsystems, payloads and/or vehicles. These may include, but are not limited to: Requirements analysis, derivation, and management Mission Engineering, modeling, and analysis Architecture and CONOPs development Systems modeling and simulation Functional analysis Timeline analysis Trade studies Technical planning Cost and risk analysis Interface definition System design System integration and test Verification and Validation planning and execution Supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Some tools you could expect to use are: DOORS, STK, Cameo, Rhapsody, MATLAB, python This position can be staffed at a Principal or Sr. Principal level, based on the basic qualifications below: Basic Qualifications: Principal Engineer: Bachelor Degree in STEM curriculum with 5 years relevant experience; 3 years with MS Degree; or PhD with 0 years of experience. ### Sr Principal Engineer Bachelor Degree in STEM curriculum with 8 years relevant experience; 6 years with MS Degree; or PhD with 3 years of experience. Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Top Secre t security clearance a time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access. Systems engineering experience (i.e. requirements, mission engineering, architecture, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification and validation) ### Preferred Qualifications Space experience Sensor/payload experience: Antennas Radar EO/IR Communications Processing, specifically On-Board Processing Space vehicle experience Space ground systems architecture and design experience Mission engineering, modeling and simulation Space Mission CONOPS Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) ### Primary Level Salary Range $105,400.00 - $158,000.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $131,100.00 - $196,700.00 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](http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO). U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions. ## At a glance - Posted by the employer: Sep 23, 2026 - First seen by OpenNash: Oct 11, 2026 - Last checked: Oct 18, 2026 - Listed for: 25 days - Location: United States-Maryland-Linthicum - Employment type: Full-time - Pay: $105,400.00 - $158,000.00[Apply on Northrop Grumman’s careers site →](https://ngc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Northrop_Grumman_External_Site/job/United-States-Maryland-Linthicum/Principal---Sr-Principal-Space-Payload-Systems-Engineer--AHT-_R10252318-1) ## More jobs at Northrop Grumman ### [Engineer Digital - Level 5 - Linthicum](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/841aa145cc6a59dd7641/) United States-Maryland-Linthicum ### [FPGA Verification Engineer Level 3/4 - Linthicum](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/0e956f125a7297ddf6fe/) United States-Maryland-Linthicum ### [FPGA Verification Engineer Level 5 - Linthicum](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/19419d8088ce07ebf954/) United States-Maryland-Linthicum ### [Manager Digital Engineering 2 - Linthicum](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/9a91a78d6edd73562723/) United States-Maryland-Linthicum ### [Modeling Simulation & Analysis ( MS & A) Engineering Manager](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/c2050a1016abdad07237/) United States-Maryland-Linthicum ## Similar jobs at other companies ### [Senior Principal Engineer – Payload RF Technical Lead- $10K Sign-On Bonus](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/bae-systems/jobs/6e5ce44aceef7099c809/) BAE Systems · Boulder, Colorado, United States ### [Senior Principal Engineer – Payload RF Technical Lead- $10K Sign-on Bonus](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/bae-systems/jobs/689300c28cc8b5bc2c05/) BAE Systems · Broomfield, Colorado, United States ### [Principal Technical Program Manager, Payload SW](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/amazon/jobs/ec1ba078a9d49453e03f/) Amazon · US, WA, Redmond ### [Structural & Payload Design Engineer (Senior or Principal)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/boeing/jobs/fd4b4ffe8681155778f5/) Boeing · USA - El Segundo, CA ### [Space Communications Payload Systems Engineer (Associate, Experienced, or Lead)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/boeing/jobs/9686e79ca13643c14bd5/) Boeing · USA - El Segundo, CA OpenNash lists jobs from employers’ own careers sites and does not handle applications. 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