Senior Principal Data Engineer Jobs in California

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

The Senior Principal Configuration Data Program Lead serves as the program’s authority for configuration management and data governance. This role owns the strategy, architecture, and execution of end‑to‑end configuration control for technical data, documentation, and deliverables in digital tools (MPLM/Teamcenter), ensuring rigor, traceability, and timely approvals to support major design reviews and contractual milestones. The successful candidate is an embedded, proactive leader who drives digital transformation of document and data workflows, mentors others, and continuously improves the configuration management discipline across the program.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the configuration management vision and strategy for the program; ensure alignment with customer, program, and enterprise requirements and standards.
• Architect, develop, implement, and maintain MPLM approval workflows for program data products, released documents, and drawings, ensuring efficient, compliant, and auditable processes.
• Own configuration control of program deliverables, including SDRL submittals, program directives, and the program letter log; ensure accurate status, traceability, and on‑time delivery to the customer.
• Establish and manage the program drawing number list, including numbering conventions, issuance, updates, and change tracking.
• Configuration‑manage Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) data products and comprehensive data packages supporting preliminary, intermediate, and major milestone design reviews in MPLM.
• Lead the migration from paper‑based/manual processes to a fully digital environment, including automation of document review and approval workflows and integration with PLM/Teamcenter.
• Serve as an embedded, dedicated member of the program leadership team, partnering with engineering, IPT leads, quality, contracts, and program management to anticipate and meet configuration and data needs.
• Analyze workflow performance and configuration metrics, identify systemic bottlenecks, and drive data‑driven recommendations and implementation plans to improve cycle time, quality, and compliance.
• Ensure robust version control, baselining, and auditability of program configuration items and associated documentation; maintain readiness for internal/external audits and customer reviews.
• Lead preparation for and participation in major design reviews and customer data calls, ensuring all configuration and data artifacts are accurate, complete, and accessible.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously refine configuration management procedures, work instructions, and best practices; provide training, coaching, and technical leadership to program and CM staff.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert and advisor on configuration management and digital data workflows, contributing to broader organizational initiatives and process standardization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Information Systems, or related field and 10+ years of related experience; 8+ years with a Master’s; or an equivalent combination of education and experience consistent with Senior Principal level.
• Extensive experience in configuration management, data management, or program/engineering documentation control within aerospace, defense, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Deep, hands‑on experience with MPLM and/or Teamcenter (or comparable PLM tools) for managing product data, documents, workflows, and approvals.
• Proven track record designing and deploying automated, digital document/data approval workflows, including optimization for efficiency and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading CM efforts on complex, multi‑stakeholder programs, including management of SDRLs, directives, and formal correspondence logs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and drive change across engineering, quality, and program management organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, take ownership of issues, and drive them to closure, while maintaining high attention to detail and configuration integrity.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert‑level knowledge of MPLM/Teamcenter configuration, workflow design, and integration with other digital engineering tools.
• Direct experience leading SDRL management and OQE/data package preparation for major design and program reviews with government or prime customers.
• Familiarity with configuration management standards and practices (e.g., EIA‑649 or equivalent) and their application to complex aerospace/defense programs.
• History of leading continuous improvement, digital transformation, or process optimization initiatives focused on document/data management and PLM usage.
• Experience defining and using process metrics/KPIs to monitor configuration and data workflow performance and drive improvements.

Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00

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.