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Principal Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Systems Engineer | Solventum 3M Health Care is now Solventum At Solventum, we enable better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives. As a new company with a long legacy of creating ...

Principal Systems Engineer Your Role at Baxter This is where your work saves lives As a Principal Systems Engineer at Baxter, you will play a key role in the sustainment of currently marketed and new ...

Principal Systems Engineer | Solventum 3M Health Care is now Solventum At Solventum, we enable better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives. As a new company with a long legacy of creating ...

About the Role TransCore is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to play a key hands-on and technical leadership role in the design, development, and support of mission-critical electronic toll ...

About the Role TransCore is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to play a key hands-on and technical leadership role in the design, development, and support of mission-critical electronic toll ...

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Principal Systems Engineer information

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$21K

$149.2K

$224.5K

How much do principal systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal systems engineer in the United States is $149,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $175,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Principal Systems Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during project development?

A Principal Systems Engineer plays a central role in coordinating between hardware, software, and project management teams to ensure system integration and project alignment. They often facilitate technical discussions, clarify requirements, and help resolve complex engineering challenges by leveraging their expertise. Regularly, they lead design reviews, mentor junior engineers, and act as the technical liaison between stakeholders to ensure project milestones are met. This collaborative approach helps maintain project quality and fosters innovation within the team.

What does a Principal Systems Engineer do?

A Principal Systems Engineer leads the design, integration, and management of complex systems within an organization. They are responsible for overseeing the entire systems engineering process, from requirements gathering to implementation and maintenance. In this senior role, they collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensure system reliability, and provide technical guidance to engineers. Principal Systems Engineers often contribute to setting technical standards and drive innovation in system architecture.

What is the difference between Principal Systems Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Systems EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, often with certifications like PMP or INCOSEBachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLead complex projects, oversee system integration, collaborate with cross-functional teamsSupport system development, perform testing, assist in system implementation
Employer & Industry UsageDefense, aerospace, large tech firms, government agenciesTechnology companies, manufacturing, defense contractors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior technical roles, career progressionEntry to mid-level roles, job responsibilities

The Principal Systems Engineer typically holds a senior technical leadership role, overseeing complex projects and guiding teams, while the Systems Engineer focuses on supporting system development and implementation. Both roles require engineering credentials, but the Principal position involves more strategic oversight and experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Systems Engineer, you need deep expertise in systems architecture, integration, and engineering principles, typically backed by a degree in engineering or computer science. Familiarity with systems modeling tools (such as SysML), requirements management platforms, and relevant certifications like INCOSE CSEP are highly valued. Outstanding problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for designing complex systems, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and delivering solutions that meet technical and business objectives.
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What cities are hiring for Principal Systems Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Systems Engineer job openings:
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Infographic showing various Principal Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 28% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,214 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Sentinel - Principal / Sr Principal Systems Engineer - 16820*

Sentinel - Principal / Sr Principal Systems Engineer - 16820*

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Roy, UT • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 337 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

104th of 515 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world's biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (level 3) / Sr. Principal Systems Engineer (level 4) in support of the Sentinel program.This opening is in Roy, UT, Bellevue, NE, Colorado Springs, CO, or Huntsville, AL and will support the Sentinel Program. Northrop Grumman supports the Air Force's sustainment, development, production and deployment of hardware and system modifications for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Ground and Airborne Launch Control Systems, Launch Facilities, and associated infrastructure.

What you will get to do:

The Sentinel program has an exciting opportunity for a Systems Engineer to join the team supporting activities including use case development, requirements definition / allocation, functional decomposition, interface definition, verification & validation, and requirements traceability.


Specific duties to include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Collaborate with program IPT counterparts to develop supporting systems engineering and design artifacts

  • Work with both technical teams and stakeholders to develop and mature architecture content of large programs design

  • Help develop and incorporate the appropriate requirements for the system and ensure that they are properly represented in the model

  • Develop systems architecture using Cameo Enterprise Architecture (behavioral, structural, analytical)

  • Contribute to system requirements development, management, and analysis

  • Develop unifying model techniques, procedures, and processes (for model development, tool integration, and team integration)

Basic Qualifications:

This requisition may be filled at either the Principal Systems Engineer level (T-03) or Sr. Principal Systems Engineer level (T-04).

Required for both levels:

  • Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business need

Principal Systems Engineer:
  • Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of experience with Bachelor's degree, 3 years of experience with Master's degree, 1 year with a PhD

  • 1+ years of experience developing or reviewing requirements within DOORS or similar tool

  • 1+ year experience in ICBM (MMIII or Sentinel) OR complex aerospace/defense systems

  • 1+ year experience in team environments with leadership responsibilities

  • 1+ year experience creating, updating, and maintaining system performance documentation

Sr. Principal Systems Engineer:
  • Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 8 Years of related experience; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD

  • 2+ years of experience with requirements management / analysis / allocations

  • 2+ years of experience with Model-Based Engineering / Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBE/MBSE) practices, languages and/or tools such as Cameo, Rhapsody or MagicDRAW

  • 2+ years of experience with one or more of the following: Command & Control (C2), physical security, cybersecurity, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) systems / processes, communications systems, facility design, military aerospace development (e.g. Sentinel, Minute Man III, B-2, B-21 delivery systems)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 1+ years of experience developing or reviewing requirements within DOORS or similar tool

  • Self-driven, able to tackle challenges, solve problems with minimal oversight and make recommendations for solutions/process improvement to leadership

  • 1+ year experience in team environments with leadership responsibilities

  • 1+ year experience creating, updating, and maintaining system performance documentation

  • Self-driven, able to tackle challenges, solve problems with minimal oversight and make recommendations for solutions/process improvement to leadership

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

Position Benefits

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

  • 401k

  • Educational Assistance

  • Life Insurance

  • Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

  • Paid Time Off

  • Health & Wellness Resources

  • Employee Discounts

https://www.northropgrumman.com/who-we-are/total-rewards-benefits/

This position's standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.

#Sentinelsystems

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $158,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $196,700.00The 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.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939