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Updated 2026-07-02 16:00 UTC·© 2025–2026 RoleSuite
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Staff Chief Engineer

Northrop Grumman · United States-Maryland-Baltimore

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

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.

Northrop Grumman Mission System’s Engineering and Sciences (E&S) Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) Division is seeking a Staff Chief Engineer to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. You will be responsible for the technical direction and execution of all aspects of engineering on a program including design, development, implementation, integration, testing, and delivery of product to the customer.  This position will be in Baltimore, MD, and is a full time on site role. 
 
What You’ll Get to Do:
The Chief Engineer within the Foundational Systems Engineering group will be the technical leader for the program engineering team and serves as technical advisor to the program manager. The Chief Engineer is typically the primary technical point-of-contact to the customer. The Chief Engineer coordinates across the program’s Systems Engineering team and other engineering teams. The Chief Engineer ensures that all engineering teams adhere to sound engineering processes, in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards.

  • Manage technical development and direction for all aspects of engineering on a program including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.

  • Collect and provide required data for Northrop Grumman MS program reporting of engineering performance.

  • Serve as the technical authority for the program, including serving as chair of the Technical Review Board.

  • Serve as engineering team liaison for communications to/from Program Management, Manufacturing, Operations, customers, and other functional organizations.

  • Oversee technical content for system design reviews (SDR) (e.g., System Requirements Review (SRR), System Functional Review (SFR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), System Verification Review (SVR), and Test Readiness Review (TRR)) including entrance and exit criteria.

  • Ensure integration of the overall technical plan within the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).

  • Ensure overall technical quality and performance for all engineering content for the program.

  • Ensure the program adheres to sound engineering processes in development, production, test, and sustainment in accordance with company policies, processes, and quality standards.

  • Drive process development, continuous improvement, and affordability initiatives within their associated programs.

  • Collaborate and arbitrate if required with all Product Team Leads to resolve engineering conflicts.

  • Support the program manager in risk and opportunity management by identifying and owning risks associated with system performance.

  • Perform any program specific responsibilities allocated to the role by the engineering functional and program management.

  • Coordinate between the System Architect, SEIT Lead, Product Team Lead(s), program manager, and customer to ensure the integrity and executability of the program technical baseline. 

 
This position is contingent on contract award, the successful transfer of an active U.S Government Secret clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access.
 
Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years of experience, a master’s degree with 10 years of experience, or a PhD with 8 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields; an additional 4 years may be considered in lieu of a degree.

  • U.S Citizenship is required. 

  • A current/active U.S Government Secret Clearance. 

  • Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP). 

  • Experience leading Integrated Product Team (IPT) initiatives, driving technical direction and fostering cross functional collaboration.

  • Extensive background in systems engineering, integration, and test (SEIT) with a track record of successful program execution. 

  • Solid understanding of Electro Optical/Infrared (EOIR) design principles and architecture. 

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.

 
Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or related technical fields. 

  • Active U.S Government Top Secret Clearance or higher.  

  • Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) managing Earned Value Management System (EVMS) projects.

  • Domain expertise in defense sensor systems.

  • Experience with the technical development and direction for many aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.

  • Experience coordinating with external subcontractors, primes, and/or suppliers.

 
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. 
 
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more! 
 
Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world. 
 
Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve. 
 
Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world. 

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00

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.

Software pay context

Based on 7,925 disclosed Software salaries on RoleSuite, the role pays a median of $158K/year, with most offers between $124K and $200K (10th–90th percentile: $102K–$235K).

This posting lists $169K–$254K, above the $158K market median.

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