Staff Systems Engineer- Ship Construction & Sensor Installation
Job Description
The Surface Ship Construction & Sensor Installation Subject Matter Expert provides technical leadership and expertise across all phases of U.S. Navy surface combatant construction, integration, and testing. This role supports government and industry partners by advising on shipbuilding processes, combat system and sensor installation requirements, schedule integration, risk management, and system readiness. The SME ensures that ship construction and modernization efforts meet Navy technical standards, program objectives, and fleet operational requirements.
Roles & Responsibilities:
• Advise on all phases of surface ship construction, including structural build, module integration, outfitting, and test events.
• Evaluate shipbuilder progress, production quality, material readiness, and adherence to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) specifications.
• Support design reviews, drawings, work packages, and configuration management activities.
• Provide expertise on installation, alignment, and integration of major sensors, including:
• Radar arrays (e.g., SPY-series, AN/SPS-series)
• EO/IR systems
• EW/ES systems
• Ensure sensor installation meets configuration, EMI/EMC, cooling, power, cyber, and alignment requirements.
• Support Combat Systems Light-Off (CSLO), testing, and certification events.
• Serve as a technical advisor to Program Offices (PEOs), shipyards, and fleet stakeholders.
• Identify risks to schedule, cost, and technical performance; recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support ship checks, readiness assessments, trials, and milestone reviews (e.g., HM&E Light-Off, Builder's Trials, Acceptance Trials).
• Interpret NAVSEA technical manuals, interface control documents, and ship specifications.
• Translate operational fleet needs into technical requirements for construction and modernization programs.
• Ensure ship capabilities align with mission profiles, Combat System requirements, and CONOPS.
This position is contingent upon contract award, and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience, master's degree with 10 years of experience or Ph.D. with 8 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance
• Experience with Navy surface ship construction, modernization, or Combat Systems integration experience.
• Experience with with NAVSEA processes, shipyard production, and sensor/combat system installation requirements.
• Experience with supporting ship trials, test events, and fleet introduction.
• Experience with with shipyards, OEMs, government engineers, and fleet representatives.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineer, or Mathematics or other related technical fields.
• A current / active DoD Top Secret Clearance or higher
• Prior experience with a Navy Program Office (e.g., PEO Ships, PEO IWS).
• Background as a Navy Combat Systems Officer, Systems Test Officer, ET/FC/AE/OS/GM Chief or Senior Engineer.
• Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM).
Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00The 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.
The Surface Ship Construction & Sensor Installation Subject Matter Expert provides technical leadership and expertise across all phases of U.S. Navy surface combatant construction, integration, and testing. This role supports government and industry partners by advising on shipbuilding processes, combat system and sensor installation requirements, schedule integration, risk management, and system readiness. The SME ensures that ship construction and modernization efforts meet Navy technical standards, program objectives, and fleet operational requirements.
Roles & Responsibilities:
• Advise on all phases of surface ship construction, including structural build, module integration, outfitting, and test events.
• Evaluate shipbuilder progress, production quality, material readiness, and adherence to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) specifications.
• Support design reviews, drawings, work packages, and configuration management activities.
• Provide expertise on installation, alignment, and integration of major sensors, including:
• Radar arrays (e.g., SPY-series, AN/SPS-series)
• EO/IR systems
• EW/ES systems
• Ensure sensor installation meets configuration, EMI/EMC, cooling, power, cyber, and alignment requirements.
• Support Combat Systems Light-Off (CSLO), testing, and certification events.
• Serve as a technical advisor to Program Offices (PEOs), shipyards, and fleet stakeholders.
• Identify risks to schedule, cost, and technical performance; recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support ship checks, readiness assessments, trials, and milestone reviews (e.g., HM&E Light-Off, Builder's Trials, Acceptance Trials).
• Interpret NAVSEA technical manuals, interface control documents, and ship specifications.
• Translate operational fleet needs into technical requirements for construction and modernization programs.
• Ensure ship capabilities align with mission profiles, Combat System requirements, and CONOPS.
This position is contingent upon contract award, and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience, master's degree with 10 years of experience or Ph.D. with 8 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance
• Experience with Navy surface ship construction, modernization, or Combat Systems integration experience.
• Experience with with NAVSEA processes, shipyard production, and sensor/combat system installation requirements.
• Experience with supporting ship trials, test events, and fleet introduction.
• Experience with with shipyards, OEMs, government engineers, and fleet representatives.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineer, or Mathematics or other related technical fields.
• A current / active DoD Top Secret Clearance or higher
• Prior experience with a Navy Program Office (e.g., PEO Ships, PEO IWS).
• Background as a Navy Combat Systems Officer, Systems Test Officer, ET/FC/AE/OS/GM Chief or Senior Engineer.
• Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM).
Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00The 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.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip out customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our nearly 100,000 employees contribute to launching the technology of tomorrow, today.
© 2025 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.
Northrop Grumman would like you to finish the application on their website.