Skip to main contentA logo with &quat;the muse&quat; in dark blue text.

Staff Chief Engineer

2 days ago Chantilly, VA

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: 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. 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.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We're looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we'll support expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you'll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

Are you interested in defining possible? Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a candidate with outstanding leadership and technical acumen to fill a Staff Chief Engineer position leading the department's Defense Portfolio.

This position will be located in Chantilly, VA supporting the SIGINT Technology Center (STC) within the Strategic Intelligence & Data Exploitation (SIDE) Operating Unit. The STC's Defense Portfolio is where technology and teamwork come together to meet the unique needs of the Department of Defense to help them find non-traditional solutions to their traditional problems. This program's goal is to develop and deliver cutting edge technology solutions in a rapidly evolving environment to meet their customer's mission needs. Specific tasks include system design, engineering development, system integration, hands-on build and test, software development, field operations and maintenance, training, and production. This role requires a strong technical leader who can balance engineering leadership and technical contributions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Ownership of the technical baseline and lead technical development and direction across multiple contracts within the Defense Portfolio to include requirements development, hardware/software design, integration, and verification/validation activities.

Serve as the technical liaison to the program manager to ensure successful execution to project budgets and schedules.

Drive execution of the overall technical plan within the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).

Ownership collecting and providing required data for Northrop Grumman MS program reporting of engineering performance (IPRS, DWL, etc.).

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Chantilly, VA delivered to your inbox every week.

Job alert subscription


Chair technical meetings such as requirements reviews, design reviews, readiness reviews, status updates, etc.

Solve technical problems and provide solutions that are technically sound and programmatically executable.

Provides technical leadership, direction, and mentoring to other technical employees in the application of systems engineering principles, tools, and techniques to achieve practical end results.

Coordinate between the System Architect, SEIT Lead, Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead(s), Program Managers, and customers to ensure the integrity and executability of the program technical baseline

Support program reviews as an engineering review authority and assist in the resolution of program engineering challenges (technical, financial, and staffing).

Ensures that the program is adhering to sound engineering processes in the development, test, and sustainment of products for our customers and is compliant with company policies, procedures, and quality standards as appropriate. Drive process development, continuous improvement, and affordability initiatives.

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

Basic Qualifications:

Must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or an equivalent STEM-related discipline with a minimum of 12 Years of experience with a bachelor's degree; minimum of 10 Years with master's degree; minimum of 8 Years experience with a PhD.

Must have an active Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain an active US DoD TS/SCI and the ability to get Special Program Access (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).

Background in SIGINT collection; working knowledge of different RF principles, networking, protocol communications, software and hardware integration

Experience as technical lead, Integrated Product Team Lead, or other leadership role in a program office or business function with demonstrated team building, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated technical leadership skills, decisiveness, and ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information.

Demonstrated ability to formally present technical solutions to senior leadership.

Hardware and software integration experience

Candidate must have good communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and good oral and written presentation skills.

Well-versed, skilled, and disciplined in system engineering processes.

Familiarity with Agile methodologies.

Willingness to work onsite full-time.

Preferred Qualifications:

An active US DoD TS/SCI and the ability to get Special Program Access

Broad ISR mission area experience.

Experience developing and communicating architecture constructs

Experience with requirements and deriving requirements

Experience briefing technical material to customers and various stakeholders

Knowledge of modern wireless communication systems

Knowledge of RF system components & functions

Knowledge of hardware and functions of SIGINT/EW systems and workflows

* Knowledge of Earned Value Management

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 ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.

Salary Range: $171,000.00 - $256,400.00The 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.

Client-provided location(s): Chantilly, VA
Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10201577
Employment Type: OTHER
Posted: 2025-07-24T12:53:17

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • On-Site Gym
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
    • Four-Day Work Week
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Relocation Assistance
    • Financial Counseling
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    Company Videos

    Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at Northrop Grumman.