Sr. Principal User Experience Systems Engineer (UX)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Principal User Experience Systems Engineer (UX)

Company: Northrop Grumman

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Engineering

Date Posted: 2025-06-09T00:00:00

Experience Level: Senior Principal (8+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead and drive user experience design initiatives across complex systems within the defense sector, focusing on human-centered design principles.
• Develop and implement comprehensive UX strategies that align technical requirements with critical user needs for warfighter simulations and services.
• Bridge the gap between technical systems engineering and intuitive, effective user interface design for critical applications.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of interaction design specifications, wireframes, and prototypes, ensuring high-quality user experiences.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Lead UX design efforts across multi-disciplinary teams, integrating user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Develop and execute UX strategies that support business objectives and address specific user requirements in a defense context.
• Supervise the creation of key design artifacts including wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed interaction design specifications.
• Ensure visual and interaction design consistency, adhering to program style guides and enhancing user expectations.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather critical insights and validate design decisions for complex systems.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to embed UX considerations into system architecture and technical design.
• Effectively communicate the UX vision and principles to diverse stakeholders, ensuring alignment and gaining buy-in for design solutions.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior UX designers and engineers, fostering growth within the team.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices in UX design and development workflows.
• Manage and lead the creation and maintenance of a program style guide, ensuring design consistency across multiple product lines and enforcing its adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human Factors, or a related STEM field is required; a Master's degree or PhD in a related field is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's degree, or 4 years with a PhD. Experience should include leading UX initiatives on complex projects, preferably within a defense or highly regulated environment. A strong portfolio demonstrating experience with complex systems and human-centered design methodologies is essential.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in leading UX design initiatives and applying user-centered design principles.
• In-depth knowledge of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) frameworks and models (e.g., Hick's Law, Fitts's Law, Norman's seven stages of action).
• Experience developing personas, scenarios, and detailed use cases to inform system design.
• Proficiency in conducting usability testing using various tools and methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking applied to complex design challenges.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with diverse teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Active Secret Security Clearance.
• Working knowledge of Software Development and Support Functions including Configuration Management, Data Management, and Quality Assurance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience applying model-based methodologies to process management, particularly Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Understanding of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) concepts, especially related to missile defense scenarios.
• Knowledge of software design and performance in IT infrastructures, networks, and cloud solutions.
• Experience with Atlassian products (Jira, Confluence) for project management and collaboration.
• Working knowledge of Agile and SAFe development methodologies.
• Experience with Cameo Systems Modeler for MBSE.
• Experience in developing, integrating, or testing GUI-based software products.
• Experience in team leadership or managing individual contributors.
• Experience developing and managing project schedules.
• Experience implementing DevSecOps practices and principles.
• Background in the Systems Engineering Lifecycle, including requirements derivation.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include case studies demonstrating your lead role in UX design for complex systems, highlighting your human-centered design process from research to implementation.
• Showcase wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed interaction design specifications for sophisticated applications.
• Present examples of cohesive visual and interaction design that align with specific brand guidelines or technical constraints.
• Demonstrate experience with usability testing methodologies and how insights informed design iterations.

Process Documentation:

• Document your approach to the research and discovery phase, including user interviews, contextual inquiry, and requirements gathering in a technical domain.
• Illustrate your methods for ideation and iteration, showing how you explored different design solutions for complex problems.
• Detail your strategies for validation and testing approaches, particularly within a secure or regulated environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $124,900.00 - $187,300.00 per year. This range is provided by Northrop Grumman and reflects compensation for a Senior Principal level role in the Colorado Springs area, taking into account the required experience, technical expertise, and security clearance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance Coverage: Includes medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Provides financial protection for employees and their families.
• Savings Plan: Opportunities for retirement savings with company contributions.
• Company Paid Holidays: Generous paid holidays throughout the year.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Provides flexibility for vacation and personal business.

Working Hours: Typically full-time, 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime depending on project needs. The role requires on-site presence.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Defense & Aerospace. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing systems, products, and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, space, defense, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide.

Company Size: Large (approx. 90,000+ employees globally). This size implies established processes, significant project scope, and opportunities for collaboration across diverse teams.

Founded: 1939. With a long history, Northrop Grumman has a deeply embedded culture of innovation and contribution to national security.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Specialized Warfighter Development Contract (SWDC) on the Warfighter Simulations and Services (WSS) Agile Release Train (ART).
• Collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams including systems engineers, software developers, and product managers is essential.
• Reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a program manager or engineering lead within the SWDC program.

Methodology:

• The team operates within an Agile framework, specifically mentioning SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) development methodologies as preferred experience.
• Emphasis on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and potentially DevSecOps practices.
• Design processes will need to integrate with rigorous systems engineering and software development lifecycles.

Company Website: http://www.northropgrumman.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Senior Principal. This level signifies a highly experienced individual expected to lead initiatives, mentor others, and significantly influence technical and design decisions. It is a senior leadership role within the technical track.

Reporting Structure: Likely reporting to a Program Manager, Engineering Manager, or Director within the WSS ART or SWDC program, focusing on technical and design leadership.

Design Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability and effectiveness of critical Warfighter Simulations and Services used in missile defense. Design decisions will affect user performance and overall system success in high-stakes environments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to technical fellow or leadership roles within the UX or Systems Engineering disciplines.
• Opportunities to lead larger, more complex programs and initiatives within Northrop Grumman Space Sector.
• Potential for increased responsibility in defining and implementing enterprise-wide UX standards and methodologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Corporate Office Environment within a defense contractor facility. The role is on-site in Colorado Springs, CO, likely within a secure facility given the Secret clearance requirement.

Office Location(s): Colorado Springs, CO. The specific location might be near Schriever AFB or other Northrop Grumman facilities in the area.

Design Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be within a professional office setting, requiring adherence to security protocols.
• Collaboration spaces will be available for team meetings and cross-functional interaction.
• Access to necessary technical infrastructure and secure systems is expected.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time schedule. Due to the on-site and secure nature of the work, significant flexibility for remote work is not offered ("No relocation assistance available"). Travel is required up to 10% of the time.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call (Recruiter/Hiring Manager) to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Technical interview(s) focusing on UX design methodologies, systems engineering knowledge, and experience with complex systems. Be prepared to discuss your approach to human-centered design within technical constraints.
• Portfolio review presentation where you walk through 1-3 key case studies demonstrating your leadership, process, and impact on complex projects. Highlight your ability to integrate UX with technical requirements.
• Team interviews with potential colleagues and stakeholders (engineers, product managers) to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit within an Agile/SAFe environment.
• Potentially a final interview with leadership to discuss strategic contributions and leadership experience.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select case studies that showcase your experience with complex, data-intensive, or technical interfaces, relevant to defense systems.
• Structure case studies to clearly articulate the problem, your role as a lead, your human-centered design process (research, ideation, testing), collaboration with technical teams, and the impact of your design solutions.
• For each project, highlight how you balanced user needs with system requirements and technical constraints.
• Be prepared to discuss the challenges faced and how you overcame them, particularly in integrating UX within a systems engineering context.

Challenge Preparation:

• While a formal design challenge is not explicitly mentioned, be prepared to discuss hypothetical scenarios related to designing for complex, secure systems.
• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly, especially when explaining trade-offs between usability, performance, and security requirements.
• Review key HCI principles and be ready to apply them to theoretical design problems.

ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: User Experience (UX), Human-Centered Design, Interaction Design, Usability, User Research, Usability Testing, Wireframing, Prototyping, Information Architecture, Design Systems, Visual Design, UI Design, Design Strategy, Design Leadership, Mentoring, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Design Principles, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors.
• Tools: Axure, Sketch, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, InVision, Zeplin, Jira, Confluence, Cameo Systems Modeler.
• Methodologies: Agile, SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), Scrum, Kanban, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), DevSecOps, Systems Engineering Lifecycle, Requirements Derivation.
• Soft Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership, Mentoring, Adaptability, Time Management.
• Industry Terms: Defense Systems, Aerospace, Warfighter Simulations, Missile Defense, Secure Systems, Government Contracting, Configuration Management, Data Management, Quality Assurance, GUI (Graphical User Interface).

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Axure, Sketch, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, or similar: Proficiency required for creating wireframes, prototypes, and detailed design specifications. Expect to demonstrate expertise in at least one industry-standard tool for complex interface design.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Jira, Confluence (Preferred): Experience with these Atlassian tools is preferred for project tracking, documentation, and team collaboration within an Agile environment.
• Handoff tools (e.g., Zeplin, InVision Inspect - inferred): While not explicitly listed, experience with tools that facilitate design-to-developer handoff is likely beneficial.

Research & Testing:

• Usability Testing Tools and Methodologies: Experience with various tools and approaches for conducting usability studies and gathering user feedback on complex systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centered Approach: A core value will be designing with the end-user (warfighters) in mind, ensuring systems are intuitive and effective in high-pressure situations.
• Technical Rigor: Given the defense context, precision, reliability, and adherence to strict technical and security requirements will be paramount in design decisions.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with systems engineers, developers, and other stakeholders is crucial for integrating UX seamlessly into complex system development.
• Innovation within Constraints: Finding creative solutions that meet user needs while adhering to strict security, performance, and technical limitations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, working closely with engineers, product managers, and potentially military personnel.
• Communication will be key, requiring the ability to articulate design concepts and rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Participation in Agile ceremonies such as daily scrums and team coordination meetings is expected.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Designing for complex, mission-critical systems with stringent security and performance requirements. Requires balancing optimal user experience with technical and operational constraints.
• Integrating UX design practices seamlessly into established systems engineering and software development lifecycles within a large defense contractor.
• Gathering user feedback from warfighters who may have limited availability or work in secure environments. Requires creative approaches to user research and testing.
• Maintaining design consistency and managing a program style guide across multiple development teams and product lines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for highly complex and secure systems.
• Potential to contribute to and influence UX standards and practices within a large, established organization.
• Exposure to advanced technologies and defense systems.
• Opportunities for professional development in areas like Model-Based Systems Engineering, DevSecOps, or leadership training.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your approach to integrating user research and usability testing into a rigorous systems engineering process. Be ready to provide examples from your portfolio.
• How do you approach designing for users with demanding tasks and potentially limited training, common in defense contexts?
• Explain how you balance ideal user experience with strict technical constraints, security requirements, and legacy system considerations.
• Walk us through a project where you successfully led a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a complex interface design. Highlight your collaboration methods.

Company Culture Questions:

• Discuss your experience working within an Agile or SAFe framework and how you ensure UX is effectively integrated into sprints and releases.
• How do you communicate the value of UX to stakeholders who may have a primary focus on technical requirements or program deadlines?
• Describe your experience mentoring junior designers or engineers in UX best practices.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus your presentation on 1-3 case studies that best demonstrate your experience with complex, technical interfaces and your ability to lead the design process.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role (emphasizing leadership), your design process (research, ideation, testing, iteration), and the impact of your solution on users and system effectiveness.
• Highlight instances where you collaborated effectively with engineers and stakeholders to overcome technical challenges or constraints.
• Be prepared to discuss the specific design decisions you made and the rationale behind them, particularly regarding usability, performance, and adherence to requirements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link on the Northrop Grumman careers site.
• Customize your resume to highlight your relevant experience in UX design for complex systems, leadership roles, and any experience with defense or government projects. Ensure relevant ATS keywords are included.
• Carefully curate your portfolio to showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to apply human-centered design principles within technical and potentially secure environments. Prepare case studies that detail your process and impact.
• Prepare for the interview process by practicing articulating your design process, discussing your experience with complex systems, and being ready to present your portfolio effectively.
• Research Northrop Grumman's work in the Space Sector and specifically the SWDC program to understand the context of the Warfighter Simulations and Services you would be supporting.