Principal Engineer Systems

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Mesa
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: None 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. At Northrop Grumman Defense Systems we are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support our Armament Business site located in Mesa, AZ . Armament Systems is a leading supplier of integrated medium-caliber weapon systems for land, air and sea platforms through its world-renowned Bushmaster® line of automatic cannons produced at its Mesa, Arizona facility. Role Description: This Systems Engineering position is for an individual contributor role on medium caliber gun system programs within the Armament Systems Division. As part of the Systems Engineering group, the Principal Systems Engineer coordinates planning, organization, implementation, integration, and completion of assigned engineering projects. This position is located in Mesa, Arizona. Responsibilities The Principal Systems Engineering position carries the following set of primary responsibilities: Accountable to the Systems Engineering Manager and Program Managers for meeting technical performance measures, cost targets, and schedule requirements on assigned engineering projects. Provides technical oversight to the assigned integrated project team; sets engineering work direction for other engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel and assigns tasks based on project objectives. Performs planning and execution of gun system development and testing projects, including voice of the customer techniques, requirements development and management, system definition, verification and validation, and risk management. Ensures pertinent design factors such as contractual, environmental, cost, schedule, technical performance, system integration, producibility, interchangeability, and material requirements are considered during development and program execution. Leads failure investigations and implementation of associated corrective actions. Works with design, manufacturing, and quality engineers through the development process and ensures timely flow of information among and between engineering team members. Coordinates with the Aftermarket Services team to support fielded systems and ensures cross-functional coordination to deliver outstanding customer service. Supports Program Manager as a control account manager to ensure accurate schedule and cost tracking. Presents work products at program reviews, proposals, or other project meetings. Prepares and plans cost estimates and written technical proposals. Acts as a technical interface to external customers, and forms working relationships with representatives of external technical organizations. Develops technical relationships with suppliers, in coordination with subcontracts management and quality functions, to facilitate technical flow-down and understanding of requirements, testing, and process control. Supports manufacturing trade studies and early supplier involvement. Shares knowledge with other engineers. Supports and leads continuous improvement initiatives within the overall engineering department. Requirements: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or closely related field of study/STEM degree) plus 5 years of directly related mechanical design experience in defense or aerospace industry. Or master’s degree plus 3 years of directly related experience. Demonstrated project management skills and techniques including creation of work breakdown structures, integrated master scheduling and earned value management. Experience in product development projects and sustainment of legacy programs for complex aerospace or defense systems. Mechanical design experience with complex gear trains, cams, springs, clutches, machined components, welded structures, electric motors, and solenoids preferred. Familiarity with mechanical and electrical engineering processes and other specialty engineering activities within the product development process. Experience writing statements of work and estimating project scope. Demonstrated effectiveness in achieving results through understanding and management of internal processes and customer/supplier relationships. Knowledge of operations of upstream process inputs (Lead System Integrators, Business Development, Contracts, Pricing, and Program Management). Knowledge of operations of downstream process customers (both internal and external: Modeling & Simulation, Configuration Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Assembly, Test, System Verification & Validation, Integrated Logistics Support, and End User). Skilled in working with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project. Understanding of Six Sigma disciplines, design for assembly / design for manufacturing (DFA/DFM). Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to focus on multiple projects and deliver status on risk areas and required actions. Knowledge of requirements decomposition, FMECAs, verification and validation, and risk analysis. Experience in performing failure analysis and driving implementation of robust corrective action. Ability to scope and generate product test plans, lead tests as Test Engineer and generate comprehensive test reports for internal and external customer distribution. Familiarity with computer aided design (CAD) software, preferably NX, and engineering requirements and analysis tools (FEA). Understanding of GD&T U.S. Citizen and be able to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance Position may require domestic and international travel, Must be able to obtain clearance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives as an Employee Possessor. Candidates hired into this role need to complete a Gun Control Act Self Certification form. Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00 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, Goodyear , Principal Engineer Systems, Engineering , Mesa, Arizona