Principal Systems Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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. Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support fielded airborne ISR systems and associated data center, network, and communication infrastructures at Beale AFB, CA. This role is a key technical interface between operations, field users, engineering Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and customer representatives. The selected engineer will apply systems thinking to sustain and improve mission systems, resolve complex field issues, and drive configuration changes from concept through implementation in support of 24/7 operations. Roles and Responsibilities: • Serve as the on-site systems engineering liaison between operations, engineering IPTs, and customer stakeholders to resolve field issues, escalations, and installations. • Sustain and provide real-time support for mission systems, including operating systems (Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi), data center hardware (compute, storage, network), and ground communication/network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, SATCOM/RF). • Perform system-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis across avionics, data center, network, and communication subsystems in field and control room environments. • Plan, configure, integrate, and test hardware/software changes in lab and operational environments; ensure interoperability across compute, storage, and network. • Lead intake, technical review, and execution of configuration and change requests, including preparation of Configuration Change Board (CCB) packages with risk assessments and implementation guidance. • Coordinate and track cross-functional action items and change requests; maintain status and performance metrics for field modifications and fixes. • Develop and execute test plans, integration procedures, and verification/validation activities for new or modified payloads, instrumentation, and network configurations. • Provide technical briefings and written status updates to customers, program leadership, and internal stakeholders. • Support mission operations, including shift work, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime. Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor’s of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related systems engineering or related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related systems engineering or related engineering experience • Experience with system integration, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis across hardware, software, and network boundaries. • Familiarity with modern operating systems and networking concepts (e.g., Windows and/or Linux administration, TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, ACLs, VPNs). • Experience reading and interpreting electrical and/or mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, and technical documenta