Principal System Engineer - Job Opportunity at Northrop Grumman

Harrogate, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: March 8, 2025
On-site
GBP 56,200-84,400 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare with dental coverage
Competitive pension scheme
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
Annual performance-based incentive program
Critical illness coverage
Health cash plan
Regular health assessments
Life assurance
Professional development support

Key Responsibilities

Lead technical planning and system integration for complex operational systems
Manage cross-organizational coordination between UK and US engineering teams
Drive requirements definition and evaluation processes
Oversee baseline change proposals and customer presentations
Direct installation and integration activities for system modernization
Conduct technical trade studies and operational assessments
Manage project schedules and program risk mitigation

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in STEM discipline

Experience

Extensive technical/engineering experience

Required Skills

System Engineering foundations Integration expertise Validation and verification experience LINUX Perl MATLAB AGILE SW development Leadership capabilities Cross-organizational coordination Technical planning

Certifications

Highest level UK government security clearance required
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Defense sector experiencing increased focus on systems integration and interoperability between allied nations Growing emphasis on modernizing legacy systems while maintaining operational capability Rising demand for engineers with combined technical and diplomatic skills for international collaboration Shift towards agile methodologies in defense engineering projects

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of £56,200-84,400 is competitive for a Principal Systems Engineer role in the UK defense sector, particularly considering the security clearance requirements and strategic nature of the position. The range allows for experience-based differentiation and reflects the high-responsibility nature of the role.

Role Significance

Likely leads a team of 5-8 engineers while coordinating with multiple international stakeholder groups
Principal level position with significant strategic influence, particularly in managing UK-US technical relationships and driving system evolution decisions

Key Projects

Legacy system modernization programs Cross-border defense capability integration initiatives Critical infrastructure security enhancements Operational system performance optimization projects

Success Factors

Strong diplomatic skills for managing international engineering relationships Deep understanding of both UK and US defense engineering practices Ability to balance operational needs with technical innovation Experience in securing stakeholder buy-in for complex system changes Track record of successful large-scale system integration projects

Market Demand

Very high demand, driven by increasing defense modernization initiatives and limited pool of security-cleared systems engineers with cross-border project experience

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Systems integration expertise for complex defense platforms International stakeholder management capabilities Security-focused engineering practices Advanced technical planning and risk assessment skills

Beneficial Skills

Defense industry domain knowledge Agile development methodologies Cross-cultural communication skills Innovation management in regulated environments

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to work at the intersection of UK and US defense engineering
Combination of legacy system support and future capability development
High-security environment with access to advanced defense technologies
International team leadership responsibility

Career Growth

2-4 years in role before progression, depending on project success and organizational growth

Potential Next Roles

Engineering Director Technical Program Director Chief Systems Architect Head of International Engineering Operations

Company Overview

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company with significant presence in both US and UK defense sectors

Top-tier defense contractor with strong focus on advanced systems integration and international collaboration
Strategic UK operation supporting critical defense capabilities and international partnerships
Professional environment with strong emphasis on security, precision, and international collaboration, balanced with modern workplace practices
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