Principal Systems Test Engineer – Systems Tester (26-471)

Northrop Grumman • Colorado Springs, CO

2d • $94,200 - $141,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration is hiring a Principal Systems Test Engineer (Systems Tester) for the C2BMC Global program in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The role supports the assessment and execution of missile defense flight and ground tests. C2BMC enables the planning and control of ballistic missile defense operations by integrating sensors, weapons, and operations, and supports tests that verify current and future missile defense capabilities.

The position is based onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility, with no remote work option. The schedule is four 10-hour workdays per week, with three days off. Travel is required approximately 10% of the time. The role requires an active Top Secret clearance at application and start, with the ability to obtain SCI, as well as an active Government-issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher.

The engineer will help organize and participate in flight and ground tests, assess test outcomes, and work with C2BMC test participants, MDA/BCT test managers, and project personnel. Responsibilities include planning test resources and objectives, managing test configuration and data collection resources, developing test architecture and procedures, and analyzing and reporting results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field and 5 years of experience; or a related master’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience; or 9 years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
• Current, active Government-issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher at the time of application, maintained throughout the contract period.
• Current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret clearance at application and start, with ability to obtain SCI clearance.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and logistics principles, including creation of specifications, Interface Control Documents, System Architecture Descriptions, use cases, and trade studies.
• Experience working on an integrated team with systems, software, and specialty engineers to develop solutions using NT or similar processes and methods.
• Ability to develop briefings and communicate complex ideas in writing, learn quickly, work in a team, and adapt to changing technology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to represent test perspectives to technical teams, the Government customer, and staff in other MDA programs.
• Understanding of systems engineering, systems design, and development.
• At least two years of experience in a related engineering environment, with strong expertise in defining and integrating systems of systems.
• Ability to analyze high-level needs and refine them through a structured, logical approach into integrated requirements for a fielded product.
• Ability to lead portions of an activity and direct fellow engineers’ work.
• Ability to communicate technical approaches and findings clearly and develop and implement engineering plans within a project.
• Previous experience demonstrating technical skills and responsibilities relevant to the position.

Nice To Haves

• Current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret/SCI clearance at the time of application.
• Experience with approval boards from organizations sponsoring tests, such as JIAMDO, AFSPC, and JFCC-IMD.
• Previous experience working with JAT, MDDC, and related organizations.
• Experience with network applications and networking concepts.
• Familiarity with military missile defense systems and operational characteristics, such as AN/TPY2, SBIRS/BOA, Aegis, THAAD, Patriot, and SBX.
• Experience with ballistic missile defense systems.
• Experience with Unix command-line tools, Bash, Perl scripting, Linux, statistics, technical writing, test procedure creation, communication and presentations, space/C2BMC/missile defense, Agile development, automated testing frameworks, and requirements and verification spreadsheet analysis.
• Experience developing Java software or Python scripts; post-processing and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses of collected data; creating action plans from analysis; documenting software deficiency reports; and presenting analysis results and plans orally or in writing.

Responsibilities

• Identify required resources and develop and understand mission objectives for systems under test.
• Develop data archival and analysis plans and prepare post-mission reports.
• Understand and work with event board approval structures and support processes, including MDIOC, BMDSS, the MDA/BC approval chain, and National Team engineering boards such as PERB and CEAT.
• Operate C2BMC and understand its configuration, system operations, and display screens.
• Manage configuration and control of test resources, test articles, and data-collection tools.
• Serve as the I&T liaison to other C2BMC test participants and MDA/BCT test managers.
• Coordinate experiments with project personnel to support seamless execution across the I&T mission.
• Develop and maintain the test architecture covering all articles under test.
• Develop additional procedures needed for successful test execution.
• Analyze collected test data, develop action plans, document software deficiency reports, and present analysis results and plans orally or in writing.

Benefits

• Health plan and health insurance coverage
• Savings plan
• Paid time off, including company-paid holidays
• Education assistance
• Training and development
• Flexible work arrangements
• Life and disability insurance
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus, depending on position

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior