Space Principal/ Sr. Principal Launch and Operations Systems Engineer
About The Position
Northrop Grumman's Mission and Payload Programs organization is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (level 3) or Senior Principal Systems Engineer (level 4) for its Space Sector Eastern Region SEIT Engineering Organization in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The organization develops, designs, produces, and sustains product lines in support of its mission and warfighter customers. The engineer will help define and refine how a unique mission is executed, develop concepts of operations (CONOPS), and translate those concepts into operational procedures, checklists, and playbooks. The role also contributes to the design and improvement of mission-enabling tools and processes, supports operational rehearsals and demonstrations, and documents system operations, hardware configurations, and software behaviors. The position requires an active, current, in-scope U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance at application, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access. Relocation assistance may be available. Travel is required; the posting states up to 50%, for no more than two weeks at a time.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
- Principal Systems Engineer: BS plus 5 years of experience, MS plus 3 years, or PhD plus 0 years.
- Senior Principal Systems Engineer: BS plus 8 years of experience, MS plus 6 years, or PhD plus 3 years.
- Proficiency in analytical data tools and programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or PERL.
- Experience with space/ground system integration, test, or operations.
- Active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance at the time of application, current and within scope, and ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
- U.S. citizenship is required for positions requiring a government clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading integration of ground software to spacecraft operations end users.
- Ability to script operational products and automate routine tasks using Python, shell scripting, or similar tools.
- Experience developing simple tools, dashboards, or utilities to support mission planning, execution, or data analysis.
- Ability to clearly document procedures and system behaviors for operators and cross-functional teams.
- Strong communication skills and comfort collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
- Willingness to support on-console activation and associated shift work, including nights, weekends, or non-standard hours as mission needs dictate.
Responsibilities
- Help define and refine how a unique mission set is executed in partnership with the lead and broader team.
- Develop concepts of operations (CONOPS) and contribute to the refinement of complex mission employment approaches.
- Translate CONOPS into detailed procedures, checklists, and playbooks for day-to-day operations.
- Contribute to the design, testing, and improvement of tools, products, and processes that enable successful mission operations.
- Participate in planning and execution of operational rehearsals, simulations, and mission demonstrations.
- Create and maintain documentation of system operations, hardware configurations, and software behaviors.
- Propose innovative ideas and improvements to existing practices while demonstrating ethics and integrity.
- Work effectively as a self-motivated member of a high-performing team, executing under general direction and independently developing approaches to assigned tasks.
- Support travel up to 50%, for no more than two weeks at a time.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance may be available.
- Health insurance coverage.
- Life insurance.
- Disability insurance.
- Savings plan.
- Company-paid holidays.
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
- Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
