Principal Engineer - Product Development

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: Yes

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: AU- Secret (NV1)

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

We are Northrop Grumman Australia. Our 800 strong team is leveraging unparalleled global resources to deliver sovereign Defence capability aligned to the Government’s priorities across Aeronautics, Mission Critical Systems, Space and Guided Weapons. As we build our business and our capabilities, we are also developing a reputation as a great place to work.

Help us define what is possible for our nation and for your career.

Turn ideas into real capability.

This role sits at the very front of product development, before requirements exist. Before contracts are written. You will work from workshopped ideas from end users in secure communications.

From here, you will:

• Understand their problems, then shape what gets built next.
• Explore ideas, test concepts, and build prototypes. Not just design on paper but prove what works.
• If you are stuck delivering defined work, this is different. Here, you help decide what is worth building.

Location: Canberra or Brisbane. NV1 clearance required.

Key Responsibilities

You’ll work across a mix of operational and complex advisory work, including:

• Understand user problems and identify capability gaps early
• Take workshop outputs and assess what is technically achievable
• Turn ideas into practical product concepts and working prototypes
• Explore solutions beyond traditional radio systems
• Work across systems, electronics, and software teams
• Balance creative ideas with real-world engineering constraints

About You

You thrive in environments where ideas are not fully defined, and you enjoy turning early concepts into practical, working solutions. You work best when collaborating across disciplines to take something abstract and make it real.

You’ll likely bring or be motivated by:

• Wanting more ownership early in your career
• Solving problems without clear answers
• Building and testing ideas, not just documenting
• A background in electronics, systems, aerospace or mechatronics
• Thinking beyond existing designs and finding better ways
• Focusing on what is achievable, not just ideal
• Taking initiative without waiting to be told

You must be an Australian Citizen and currently hold a NV1 clearance.

What we Offer

We have built our benefits to help you define your possible.

• Professional Development – further education, leadership development, professional industry memberships and unlimited access to a range of online training
• Purchased annual leave – 2 weeks
• Salary packaging including novated car leases
• Generous paid parental leave – 18 Weeks
• Volunteer and enhanced Reservist Leave
• Health & Wellbeing program
• Employee Assistance Program

Everyone Matters

Doing the right thing and sharing success are two values underpinning how we behave at Northrop Grumman. Here, everyone matters including candidates from diverse backgrounds.

We are particularly proud of our commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as demonstrated through our Second Innovate RAP (2024-2026), and our support for Veteran employment, and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Veterans to apply to join our team.

• For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact the
• @au.ngc.com NB Files cannot be sent to this address.

As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, you must be an Australian Citizen. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable, as such your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. You will also need to satisfy police checks and employment screening verification.

We are proud to be WORK180 accredited – check us out Northrop Grumman Australia | WORK180 Endorsed Employer