Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer (3/4) (Principal or Sr. Principal)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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 has an opening for a Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Research and Advanced Development (RAD) to support a next-generation campaign effort. This role is located in Rancho Bernardo, CA or El Segundo, CA.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

In this role, you will support a prototype effort for next-generation capabilities. This role is ideal for a strong individual contributor who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys difficult technical challenges.

Essential Functions

• Model operational environments, perform trade studies via computer simulation.
• Develop capability and perform mission effectiveness analysis within system of systems modeling tools such as AFSIM, Suppressor, or Brawler.
• Create and apply knowledge of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to support blue/red kill chains across multiple security environments, programs, architectures, and platforms.
• Provide blue/red tactics and CONOPS modeling, simulation, and analysis in mission level models to help accomplish long term objectives related to program development, execution, and related R&D projects.
• Perform mission engineering activities to ensure continuity between desired operational capabilities and delivered system performance, through the Systems Engineering “V”. Ensure performance capabilities of new systems and architectures are traded against cost and mission requirements; develop operationally relevant mission scenarios; assess operational effectiveness of existing and emerging systems and capabilities in representative operational environments.
• Solicit input from various stakeholders, synthesize data, and communicate results to various levels of leadership.
• Present large, complex study results to internal leadership and higher level USG personnel.
• Develop and integrate adversarial behavioral models in AFSIM.
• Serve as project and capability development lead for teams of up to 6 people.

This position may be filled at the Principal Engineer or Senior Principal Engineer Level based on the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications:

Principal Engineer Level:

• Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military / professional / academic experience

Senior Principal Engineer Level:

• Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 8 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 6 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 4 years of relevant military / professional experience

And for Both Engineer Levels:

• Must be proficient in MATLAB.
• Must have project and analysis lead experience.
• Must have experience in at least one of the following areas:
  • Threat modeling and adversarial behavior analysis
  • Survivability and lethality assessments
  • Red and blue CONOPS and TTP development
  • Navigation/Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT)
• Must have an active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to develop physics based models and simulations using object oriented programming principles in MATLAB, Python, C++, or Java.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a rapid prototyping environment.
• Ability to develop new models or software capabilities accurately representing complex or abstract physical phenomena.
• Familiarity with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and system architecture integration.
• Experience with operational military systems.
• Experience with version control tools such as Github or Bitbucket.
• Operate within CI/CD pipelines (Git/TFS, Azure DevOps, etc.) and collaborate in version controlled, team based environments.
• Proficiency in additional object oriented languages (C#, Java, etc) and modeling/simulation of radars, missiles, Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS), air and space platforms.

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.