Sr Principal Systems Integration & Test Engineer – Radar Lab Technical Lead
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 is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) division is seeking a The Sr. Principal Systems Integration & Test Engineer (SI&T) – Radar Laboratories Technical Lead in Baltimore, MD. This position resides within the Systems Engineering Integration & Test (SEIT) organization and provides senior technical leadership supporting Radar laboratory integration and test activities across development and production programs.
Working under the direction of the SEIT Lead and in coordination with the Integration & Test (I&T) IPT Lead, this position serves as the primary technical focal point for Radar laboratory integration activities. The role provides technical leadership for laboratory integration planning and execution while partnering closely with Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics, Mission Assurance, Program Management, and complementary technical leads responsible for verification strategy, requirements verification, software qualification, and configuration management.
The position applies extensive technical expertise to support laboratory integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, automation, and continuous improvement activities while contributing to successful program execution within technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
Roles & Responsibilities
• Technical Leadership & Laboratory Integration
Serve as the primary technical focal point for Radar laboratory integration activities supporting system integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, performance assessment, and laboratory readiness. Develop and coordinate laboratory integration approaches, test procedures, configurations, and execution plans in collaboration with the SEIT Lead, I&T IPT Lead, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
•Laboratory Capability Planning & Continuous Improvement
Support development of laboratory capability roadmaps, laboratory modernization initiatives, equipment upgrades, automation efforts, and process improvements that improve laboratory efficiency, integration readiness, and long-term capability while aligning with program priorities and business objectives.
• Cross-Functional Technical Coordination
Coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering organizations including Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Logistics, Manufacturing, Mission Assurance, Program Management, and customer representatives to support successful execution of complex integration and test activities.
• Integration Planning, Test Execution & Verification Support
Support development of integration approaches, test concepts, risk reduction activities, requirements-based testing, qualification events, customer demonstrations, and verification activities by ensuring laboratory environments, system configurations, instrumentation, and technical resources are prepared to execute planned integration and verification events.
• Technical Risk Identification & Mitigation
Identify technical risks, integration issues, schedule impacts, and laboratory constraints affecting program execution. Develop recommendations and coordinate mitigation activities with program leadership and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Change, Configuration & Laboratory Data Management
Support incorporation of engineering change proposals, software releases, hardware updates, firmware revisions, and laboratory capability enhancements into controlled laboratory environments. Coordinate with configuration management processes to maintain repeatable, traceable, and properly documented laboratory configurations.
• Software Integration, Test Automation & Technical Support
Support Radar software integration, regression testing, functional verification, and performance evaluation activities. Collaborate with software, algorithm, firmware, and systems engineers to improve automated test capabilities, develop laboratory scripting solutions, analyze test results, investigate anomalies, and recommend corrective actions.
• Program Execution & CAM Support
Support Control Account Managers (CAMs), the I&T IPT Lead, and SEIT leadership by providing technical planning inputs, Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD) updates, work package status, execution metrics, schedule assessments, technical risk identification, estimate-to-complete inputs, and technical status reporting supporting successful program execution.
• Business Development & Proposal Support
Support proposal efforts by providing technical inputs, laboratory planning information, Basis of Estimate (BOE) inputs, technical volume contributions, and laboratory capability assessments. Participate in customer demonstrations and technical presentations supporting business development activities.
• Standards, Governance & Continuous Improvement
Support development and implementation of laboratory processes, engineering best practices, technical standards, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts that enhance integration efficiency, repeatability, data quality, and laboratory utilization.
• Technical Mentoring & Knowledge Transfer
Provide technical mentoring and guidance to Systems Integration & Test engineers. Promote knowledge sharing, sound engineering practices, laboratory best practices, and technical development to strengthen team capability and sustain long-term program success.
• Logistics & Laboratory Support
Coordinate with Logistics and program support organizations to identify laboratory equipment, tooling, consumables, test assets, calibration requirements, and capital equipment needs supporting laboratory integration and test activities.
• Technical Leadership & Collaboration
Foster effective collaboration across the SEIT organization, Integration & Test IPT, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics, Mission Assurance, and Program Management to support successful program execution while promoting sound engineering practices, effective communication, and continuous improvement within Radar laboratory integration activities.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8 years of experience, Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 6 years of experience, or PhD with 4 years of experience in a STEM discipline. Four additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Active DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP) prior to start.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Experience with RF laboratory test equipment including signal generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and related instrumentation.
- Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware, software, and firmware integration issues.
- Experience using MATLAB to support scripting, data analysis, signal processing, and laboratory test activities.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience supporting system benches, acceptance testing, test reporting, laboratory troubleshooting, and technical status communication.
- Ability to work onsite full-time in Baltimore, Maryland.
Preferred Qualifications
- Active DoD Top Secret Clearance or higher.
- Previous experience supporting Special Access Programs.
- Experience integrating and testing software written in C and C++.
- Knowledge of Radar systems and Radar integration activities.
- Knowledge of firmware integration and hardware control.
- Knowledge of embedded systems design and implementation.
- Experience developing Python scripts to automate laboratory processes.
- Understanding of Systems Engineering concepts including requirements analysis, verification planning, interface definition, and system integration.
- Experience supporting customer demonstrations, qualification testing, and formal acceptance events.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical approaches, risks, status, and findings.
- Ability to qualify for customer program access (SAP/SAR).