Principal / Sr Principal Electrical Engineer Facilities

Employer description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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.

Plans, designs and oversees the reconfiguration, maintenance, and alteration of equipment, machinery, buildings, structures, and other facilities. Gathers and reviews data Northrop Grumman Weapons Systems is currently seeking Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 3 or Sr. Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 4 for our Elkton, Maryland location.

 

The Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers.  The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY, Palm Beach Gardens, FL and San Jose, CA.

 

Job Summary:

 

As Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 3 or Sr. Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 4, you will be the primary technical lead for the design, operation, and optimization of electrical power and distribution systems across the Elkton propulsion campus. You will ensure that all electrical infrastructure—ranging from utility service entrances, substations, and motor control centers to building power, lighting, and specialized process loads—operates safely, reliably, and efficiently while meeting the demanding requirements of energetic manufacturing, test, and R&D environments.

 

You will blend hands-on electrical engineering, strategic project management, and cross-functional collaboration to:

 

Lead capital project delivery for electrical systems from concept through closeout.Design, upgrade, and troubleshoot electrical distribution and protection schemes for industrial and high-hazard facilities.Champion electrical reliability, energy performance, and regulatory compliance.Support other facility disciplines (mechanical, controls, civil/structural) as needed to deliver integrated solutions. 

You will be part of a high-performing facilities team in accordance with Northrop Grumman’s Leadership Values.

Core Technical Responsibilities:

 

Planning, Design & Technical Leadership – Electrical FocusLead the end-to-end planning, detailed design, and supervision of electrical power systems, including utility feeders, substations, switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), panelboards, transformers, grounding systems, and lighting.Develop and maintain electrical single-line diagrams, load lists, panel schedules, and protective device coordination studies for plant-wide electrical distribution.Perform load calculations, short-circuit analyses, arc-flash studies, and protective relaying design in accordance with NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 70E, IEEE, and applicable DoD and corporate standards.Design and optimize electrical systems that support HVAC, process equipment, test cells, and building services; ensure adequate capacity, reliability, and maintainability.Partner with architecture, engineering firms, and internal stakeholders to integrate electrical requirements into multidisciplinary facility designs, ensuring alignment with safety, HAZOP/HOPs, and regulatory requirements.Provide technical leadership on electrical design standards, equipment selection, and installation practices; participate in peer reviews of electrical design documents and contractor submittals.Data Collection & Requirements Analysis & System StudiesCompile and analyze equipment specifications, electrical nameplate data, and utility information to determine power requirements and distribution strategies.Develop electrical basis-of-design documents and requirements for new buildings, process lines, and test facilities, aligning with HAZOP/HOPs, DoD 4145.26, project schedule, and construction feasibility.Conduct power quality assessments (harmonics, voltage flicker, transients) and recommend mitigation strategies (filters, capacitors, UPS systems, etc.) to protect sensitive loads.Translate analyzed data into clear electrical requirements that drive design, procurement, and execution phases.Procurement, Contract Management & Vendor CoordinationPrepare electrical-focused bid packages, scopes of work, and technical specifications for construction, installation, and service contracts involving electrical systems.Develop detailed electrical cost estimates for equipment, installation, labor, materials, and commissioning activities.Prequalify vendors and contractors for electrical work; issue RFPs, evaluate bids, negotiate contracts, and monitor performance against SLAs and technical deliverables.Manage electrical project schedules, budgets, and change orders, ensuring that scope changes and risks are properly documented and communicated.Construction, Installation Supervision & Field EngineeringOversee and inspect electrical construction and equipment installations to verify strict compliance with drawings, specifications, codes, and project schedules.Provide on-site engineering support during installation, startup, and commissioning, including resolution of field issues, RFIs, and design clarifications.Conduct site inspections and punch-list walkdowns, ensuring that electrical systems are installed, labeled, tested, and documented per requirements.Verify proper implementation of grounding, bonding, and overcurrent protection schemes and ensure that equipment clearances, working spaces, and access meet safety standards.Equipment Qualification, Operations & Maintenance SupportPlan and oversee qualification and performance verification of newly installed electrical equipment—factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), functional tests, and reliability run-offs.Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for electrical assets using the CMMS; define work-order strategies and integrate condition monitoring data (e.g., IR scans, insulation resistance, breaker testing).Conduct FMEAs and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) analyses for critical electrical assets to maximize uptime and reduce failure risk.Provide technical guidance on electrical troubleshooting, fault diagnosis, and corrective actions for facility systems.Energy Management & SustainabilityParticipate in energy-management initiatives focused on electrical systems: submetering, LED retrofits, high-efficiency transformers, VFD deployment, and optimization of demand and power factor.Analyze electrical energy consumption data to identify savings opportunities and support renewable energy or resilient power projects (e.g., solar, backup generators, microgrids) where appropriate.Design electrical solutions with sustainability, total cost of ownership, and lifecycle performance in mind.Compliance, Safety & Stakeholder ManagementEnsure full compliance with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, NFPA 70E, HOPs/HAZOPs, PSM, local building codes, and environmental regulations relevant to electrical facilities.Lead or support electrical safety programs, including arc-flash risk assessments, labeling, PPE standards, and lockout/tagout procedures.Serve as a primary liaison among real estate, manufacturing, maintenance, security, EHS, IT, program management, and external partners on electrical facility matters.Respond to occupant requests and project needs related to electrical capacity, receptacle layouts, lighting, and equipment power.Documentation, Reporting & Continuous ImprovementMaintain up-to-date as-built electrical drawings, equipment manuals, protective device settings, warranty files, Management-of-Change (MoC) records, and CMMS data.Produce monthly/quarterly dashboards and reports on electrical energy use, reliability metrics, maintenance KPIs, and project status for senior leadership.Lead or participate in Kaizen, Lean, or Six Sigma projects that improve electrical system reliability, reduce energy waste, and streamline work-order flow.Support internal/external audits and inspections related to electrical systems; develop corrective-action plans and ensure regulatory filings are current. 

This requisition may be filled with either Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 3 or Sr. Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 4, depending on years of experience and qualifications.

 

Basic Qualifications Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 3:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited institution and 5 years of facilities, electrical engineering, or construction experience;undefinedundefinedHands-on experience with industrial or commercial electrical systems, including power distribution, motor control, lighting, and equipment power feeds.Proven experience overseeing projects that include electrical budgeting, scheduling, procurement, contractor coordination, and closeout documentation.Ability to interpret and apply NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 70E, and relevant codes/standards to electrical design and installation.Experience preparing electrical scopes of work, cost estimates, and basic life-cycle cost assessments for smaller capital projects.Demonstrated success working on cross-functional teams and coordinating with operations, maintenance, procurement, safety, finance, and external contractors or vendors.Ability to gather and translate electrical technical requirements into actionable tasks and align stakeholders on project scope, schedule, and budget.Comfortable operating with limited supervision: able to take initiative, make sound technical decisions, and drive projects to completion while maintaining stakeholder alignment.Proficiency with Microsoft Project and the Microsoft Office Suite.Must be able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance; U.S. Citizenship is a prerequisite.Ability to travel up to 10% of the time to meet customers and vendors.Basic Qualifications Sr. Principal Electrical Facilities Engineer 4:Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited institution and at least 8 years of facilities, electrical engineering, or construction experience;undefinedundefinedDeep knowledge of design, construction, and commissioning processes for industrial or high-hazard electrical facilities (preferred: propulsion, aerospace, or classified defense environments).Demonstrated experience in electrical construction management, including contract administration, contractor oversight, schedule and budget control, quality assurance, and compliance with codes and standards.Proven leadership experience directing multidisciplinary project teams, influencing stakeholders, and making high-impact technical decisions in complex environments.Strong mentorship skills with a history of developing engineers and technical staff through coaching, performance feedback, and career development.Ability to set electrical technical standards, enforce best practices, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across projects or site engineering functions.Proficiency in creating electrical scopes of work, detailed cost estimates (conceptual through detailed), schedules, risk assessments, and procurement strategies.Effective at coordinating with operations, procurement, finance, safety, and external contractors to ensure timely, compliant project delivery.Proficiency with Microsoft Project and the Microsoft Office Suite.Must be able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance; U.S. Citizenship is a prerequisite.Ability to travel up to 10% of the time to meet customers and vendors. Preferred Qualifications:M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field.E.I.T. and/or P.E. credentials in Electrical Engineering.Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.Experience with Revit or other BIM tools for electrical design and coordination.Experience with CMMS and work-order systems (e.g., SAP, Maximo, Leading2Lean).Experience performing or managing arc-flash, short-circuit, and coordination studies.Familiarity with IEC, IEEE, and DoD Unified Facilities Criteria related to electrical systems.Experience integrating electrical systems with controls/automation (PLC, DCS, instrumentation). This position falls under a Federal Explosives License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for this location.  Candidates hired into this role will be required to complete and submit an Employee Possessor Questionnaire to ATF for approval to be a possessor. This role places you at the heart of next‑generation propulsion systems that power national defense and space exploration. You will work with cutting‑edge manufacturing processes, high‑energy test cells and classified R&D laboratories, all while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of the Upper Chesapeake Bay—trails, water recreation, historic towns and a short commute to both Philadelphia and Baltimore. Northrop Grumman offers a global talent network, robust leadership‑development programs and access to advanced technical training, providing a clear path for career growth and personal fulfillment.If you are a technically accomplished, data‑driven facilities leader eager to drive reliability, sustainability and mission success for a world‑class propulsion manufacturing campus, we invite you to submit your résumé and a concise cover letter highlighting your most relevant capital‑project and operational achievements.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer.concerning facility or equipment specifications, company or government restrictions, required completion date, and construction feasibility. Coordinates with architecture/engineering firms in developing design criteria and preparing layout and detail drawings. Prepares bid sheets and contracts for construction and facilities acquisition. Reviews and estimates design costs including equipment, installation, labor, materials, preparation, and other related costs. Inspects or directs the inspection of construction and installation progress to ensure conformance to established drawings, specifications, and schedules.
Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers. The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

 

Elkton, Maryland is located on the Upper Chesapeake Bay, midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Discover charming small towns, parks with miles of trails, specialty and antique shops, award winning restaurants, and inns.  You can hike, bike, camp, bird watch, ride horseback, or drop a fishing line.  Five rivers, Chesapeake Bay and the C&D Canal can be explored by boat or by land. Experience panoramic views from Turkey Point Lighthouse on a bluff overlooking the Bay, or from the banks of the C&D Canal where ships from around the globe cruise. https://www.ccgov.org/government/tourism

Primary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00

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.