Space Vehicle Chief Engineer Staff Systems Engineer (TS/SCI)

Northrop Grumman•Dulles, VA

About The Position

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. Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector, Space Superiority Division, seeks a qualified Systems Engineer to serve as the Chief Engineer for a Space Vehicle Development program within the Rapid Innovations Operating Unit (RI OU). The qualified candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team executing the design and development of a Space Vehicle and its associated Mission, as well as support capture efforts for future phases of the program. In this leadership level role, the Chief Engineer is expected to be self-directed using previous experience to lead design, analysis, and execution efforts, while also recognizing and mitigating technical issues/risks that may impact capability, cost, or schedule. Regular interaction with senior business leadership and the Customer is expected, meaning that presentation skills and particularly the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to either technical or nontechnical audiences is required. The Chief Engineer has technical oversight for the program, and primary duties include: Serving as the primary technical advisor to the program manager Lead/Provide major support to the entire space segment technical team Assisting senior program leadership on shaping customer acquisition strategy Leveraging NG capabilities and technologies to meet customer goals and objectives Coordinating internal responses to cross-segment issues and providing high level briefings on major decision points to senior leadership Ensuring that all engineering teams adhere to sound engineering processes, in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards Planning and managing technical reviews Working with the lead systems engineer to ensure that givers/receivers, GFx and other roadblocks are quickly identified and countered Leading / supporting on-ramp of new system capabilities through studies or ECPs Managing the integration of complex payloads onto an existing platform Mentoring, training, and directing junior staff Successful candidates will also demonstrate an attitude and approach founded in the following key characteristics: Data Driven: Able to coordinate and organize large amounts of data from a diverse team into key take-aways Schedule Driven: Quickly driving issues to closure or decision point Demonstrated track record of being a solutions-oriented high energy problem solver Able to focus on short term objectives and understanding how they fit into the longer term plan

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or related technical field, and 12 years of applicable experience; a Master's Degree and 10 years of applicable experience
Must possess a current or active Top Secret / SCI Clearance at time of application.
Experience with space mission development / architecture, as well as spacecraft design and development
Experience working small- or medium-size Government programs
Experience leading a team of engineers
Demonstrated strong communication skills (verbal and written) with experience briefing executive and customer leadership
Experience in the Space Security Domain

Nice To Haves

>10yrs of direct experience with Space systems
Current Program access
Exposure to Northrop Grumman space vehicle design and production
Experience with Class B, C or D Space Programs
Knowledge of aerospace environmental testing standards
Experience with ground segment design, development, and sustainment
Established network of contacts in other NG divisions/sectors/programs
Experience working as a primary subcontractor
CAM / engineering project management experience

Responsibilities

Serving as the primary technical advisor to the program manager
Lead/Provide major support to the entire space segment technical team
Assisting senior program leadership on shaping customer acquisition strategy
Leveraging NG capabilities and technologies to meet customer goals and objectives
Coordinating internal responses to cross-segment issues and providing high level briefings on major decision points to senior leadership
Ensuring that all engineering teams adhere to sound engineering processes, in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards
Planning and managing technical reviews
Working with the lead systems engineer to ensure that givers/receivers, GFx and other roadblocks are quickly identified and countered
Leading / supporting on-ramp of new system capabilities through studies or ECPs
Managing the integration of complex payloads onto an existing platform
Mentoring, training, and directing junior staff