Space Vehicle Systems Engineer - Level 3

Northrop Grumman•Gilbert, AZ

1d•$98,400 - $147,600•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is seeking a Space Vehicle Systems Engineer - Level 3 to join our team in Gilbert, Arizona. Successful candidates for this position will play a key role as Space Vehicle Systems Engineers on a national security space program. This role blends classic systems engineering with on‑the‑floor support to integration, build, and test—putting you directly at the heart of assembling and bringing our spacecraft to life. You will be part of a cross‑disciplinary team that takes space vehicles from early concept through launch and on‑orbit operations. You don’t just hand off a design—you help guide it from concept through countdown and into orbit, contributing to fully mission‑capable space vehicles for our customers. This Systems Engineer role is an individual‑contributor position on a multi‑disciplinary team. You will work on design, development, integration, and testing of space payloads, spacecraft buses, and complete mission space vehicles. If you’re excited to see your work on the factory floor and ultimately on orbit, we invite you to join our team and help push the boundaries of what is possible.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 5+ years of engineering experience, or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 3+ years of engineering experience
Proven technical problem‑solving skills and demonstrated ability to understand and manage system and subsystem interactions
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical content to leadership and/or customers
Previous engineering experience on space programs, spacecraft development, or satellite operations
Solid understanding of systems engineering functions (requirements, interfaces, verification/validation, risk, configuration management)
Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in space systems, spacecraft design, or mission operations (vehicle, payload, or mission‑level SE)
Hands‑on experience with spacecraft/space system integration and test, launch, and/or mission operations
Experience owning requirements development, decomposition, and allocation, and contributing to system architecture and CONOPS development
Proficiency with one or more tools such as MATLAB, DOORS, or CAMEO
Experience in one or more of the following areas: orbital mechanics, orbital debris modeling, spacecraft attitude control, power systems and modeling, avionics or digital electronics design, risk analysis, optics, communications, thermal design and analysis, or spacecraft/payload integration and testing
Active or current U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

Lead and provide on‑floor support to the integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft and payloads
Own and perform system and subsystem requirements development, allocation, and verification/validation planning, including traceability and closure
Lead interface definition activities and develop/maintain interface control documents, specifications, and engineering reports
Serve as a key technical point of contact with program, functional, and subsystem leads to resolve issues and drive decisions
Plan and execute trade studies, system sensitivity and design optimization studies, system performance assessments, mission timelines, and CONOPS development
Develop and present review and briefing materials for working groups, technical reviews, and program status meetings
Lead or support tasks such as electrical harness interface design, integration and test procedure development, mechanical systems support, command and telemetry database development, and space vehicle configuration modeling