Space Systems Engineer- Space Superiority

Northrop Grumman • Dulles, VA

8d • $91,800 - $137,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer for its Space Superiority Division in Dulles, Virginia. The engineer will join a cross-disciplinary team that develops, integrates, tests, and delivers spacecraft and mission systems for space security missions, with a focus on rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). The role calls for substantial experience or demonstrated technical depth in spacecraft engineering, space mission design, mission analysis, or mission operations.

The engineer will contribute across the full spacecraft and mission lifecycle, from mission architecture and concept development through analysis, integration, test, launch, and on-orbit execution. The work includes solving technical challenges involving spacecraft performance, mission design, on-orbit operations, and system integration, and supporting resilient capabilities for demanding operational environments. The position requires an active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at application; the position is also contingent on obtaining final clearances and program access within a reasonable period determined by the company.

The role is based in Dulles, Virginia, and requires travel approximately 10% of the time. Relocation assistance may be available. The listed primary-level salary range is $91,800–$137,600. Depending on the position, employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus. Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation or personal business.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 2 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s degree.
• An active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at the time of application.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the design, development, integration, test, or operation of spacecraft, space-based systems, or space missions.
• Demonstrated experience performing one or more systems-engineering functions, such as requirements development and management, interface definition and control, system architecture definition, CONOPS development, technical trade studies, or system verification and validation.
• Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines to resolve technical issues and develop integrated spacecraft or mission solutions.
• Experience developing technical documentation and communicating complex engineering information to technical teams, program leadership, customers, or mission partners.

Nice To Haves

• An active or current TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience developing spacecraft or space-mission architectures, CONOPS, design reference missions, or operational scenarios.
• Experience performing mission analyses, performance analyses, or technical trade studies involving spacecraft and space missions.
• Experience supporting multiple phases of the spacecraft lifecycle, including design, integration, test, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.
• Experience developing analytical, modeling, or automation tools using Python, MATLAB, Systems Tool Kit (STK), or comparable tools.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methods and tools.
• Experience with spacecraft integration and test, mission-readiness activities, anomaly resolution, or on-orbit mission support.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government space programs or missions in the space security domain.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear recommendations and briefings for senior technical, program, customer, or executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate spacecraft and mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), design reference missions, and operational scenarios.
• Perform mission-level analyses and technical trade studies.
• Assess spacecraft day-in-the-life operations and develop mission sequences for launch, commissioning, on-orbit operations, RPO, and contingency scenarios.
• Collaborate across spacecraft, payload, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), software, communications, ground, and mission-operations teams to develop integrated spacecraft and mission solutions.
• Work with mission partners to model and mature mission elements, operational concepts, interfaces, and execution plans.
• Support development of new spacecraft and modification of existing spacecraft to accelerate the path from mission concept to launch and on-orbit operations.
• Develop analysis, modeling, and automation tools to evaluate mission concepts, operational scenarios, design alternatives, and spacecraft performance.
• Develop and manage mission, system, and subsystem requirements, including decomposition, allocation, traceability, verification, and validation.
• Define and manage internal and external interfaces among spacecraft, payloads, host vehicles, RPO sensor suites, ground systems, and mission partners.
• Support spacecraft integration and test, mission-readiness activities, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit execution.
• Support major program milestones, technical reviews, and mission-readiness reviews by developing technical content and preparing clear assessments and briefings for customers, program leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Author and contribute to mission-engineering products, systems-engineering artifacts, technical reports, and other program deliverables.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

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