Systems Engineer - Level 3 or 4

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Colorado Springs
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: 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, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU) has an exciting career opportunity for a Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be in Colorado Springs, CO . Position Overview: The Systems Engineer – Level 3 or 4 will support a growing portfolio of programs and IRADs that focus on missile defense, space, and intelligence and will support various modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) project teams performing systems engineering across the entire “systems engineering vee”. Essential Functions: This position will specifically focus on the development of systems engineering artifacts supporting multiple programs across the portfolio in various stages of the systems engineering life cycle. Seeking candidates who find satisfaction in working on challenging and diverse assignments in collaborative settings across all levels. This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below. This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Systems Engineer – Level 3 or a Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4. Basic Qualifications: Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Engineer – Leve 3: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 3 years of related work experience, or 1 year of related work experience with a PhD in STEM. Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Level 4: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 6 years of related work experience, or 4 years of related work experience with a PhD in STEM. Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business needs Experience translating customer needs into a mature baselined set of requirements Extensive experience developing a fully traceable system architecture utilizing the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) Experience with formal verification and validation processes Experience in MATLAB, Python, or similar programming languages for data analysis Comfortable communicating technical information to technical and non-technical customers Experience mentoring and developing junior-level engineers Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a team setting Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred Qualifications A current active in-scope DoD Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering Experience using the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM), Ansys Systems Tool Kit (STK), or a similar mission-level modeling and simulation framework Experience supporting proposals for capture efforts Experience conducting trade studies and familiarity with trade study methodologies Experience with formal verification and validation processes Experience using MBSE architectural frameworks, such as DODAF/MODAF (or UPDM) or UAF Experience using agile development methodologies Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Graduate Certificate INCOSE ASEP/CSEP/ESEP certification Object Modeling Group (OMG) Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP) Model Builder Fundamental Certification Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00 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, Arvada , Systems Engineer - Level 3 or 4, Engineering , Colorado Springs, Colorado