Systems Engineer Level 5 - Mission Modeling Simulation

Northrop Grumman • Chandler, AZ

2d • $152,900 - $229,300 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Systems Engineer Level 5 to support mission-level and system-level modeling, simulation, and analysis for advanced missile and interceptor systems. The position is located in Chandler, Arizona, and is 100% onsite, although remote candidates may also be considered. Relocation assistance may be available. The role requires an active Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship, and involves travel approximately 10% of the time.

The engineer will design and implement physics-based models, construct mission and engagement scenarios, and conduct quantitative analyses supporting requirements development, design trades, and performance verification. The role works with systems, GNC, seeker/sensor, software, mission, and integration and test disciplines. Responsibilities include developing models and simulations, evaluating mission effectiveness and architecture alternatives, creating analysis algorithms and scripts, conducting trade and sensitivity studies, and communicating results through technical reports and briefings.

The position requires a STEM degree and substantial related experience, with degree-and-experience combinations specified in the basic qualifications. Preferred experience includes specialized missile, sensor, threat, electronic warfare, survivability, MBSE, real-time simulation, and Agile development work. The stated primary-level salary range is $152,900 to $229,300. Employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus. The company describes its benefits package as including health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 12 years of related modeling and simulation or operations analysis experience; or a master’s degree and 10 years; or a Ph.D. and 8 years.
• Demonstrated modeling, simulation, and analysis experience for defense systems, preferably missiles, interceptors, or related weapon or mission systems.
• Hands-on experience with operations analysis and/or virtual simulation tools such as AFSIM, NGTS, Brawler, STK, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Strong background in probability, statistics, and design of experiments applied to weapon-system and mission performance.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar languages for algorithm development, model integration, scripting, and data analysis.
• Experience modeling operational environments and performing mission-effectiveness trade studies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including briefing complex analysis outcomes to program and customer leadership.
• Ability to drive tasks to completion independently and collaboratively, with strong mentoring and training skills.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret and/or Special Access Program access; active TS/SAP is highly preferred.
• Experience with missile/interceptor guidance, navigation, and control (GNC).
• Experience with RF or EO/IR seeker/sensor modeling.
• Experience with integrated air defense systems (IADS) or threat modeling.
• Experience with electronic attack, electronic protection, and countermeasures modeling.
• Experience with survivability, lethality, and vulnerability analysis at the weapon or mission level.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and digital engineering practices, such as Cameo/SysML, and linking models to requirements.
• Experience with real-time simulation and man-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop test environments.
• Experience working in an Agile development workflow using tools such as Jira and Bitbucket/Git.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate mission-level and system-level performance models, algorithms, and simulations of missiles, interceptors, sensors, threats, and command-and-control systems.
• Perform operations and behavior analysis, mission-effectiveness studies, and assessments of architecture alternatives, including end-to-end engagement and campaign-level assessments.
• Implement algorithms and analysis scripts in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools to support constructive and real-time simulations.
• Build operationally relevant scenarios to assess end-to-end performance against representative air and missile threats.
• Conduct trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and design of experiments to quantify performance, robustness, and mission utility.
• Document assumptions, methods, and results in technical reports and present findings to project teams and technical reviewers.
• Collaborate with engineering disciplines including systems, GNC, seeker/sensor, software, mission, and integration and test.
• Drive tasks to completion independently and in collaborative teams, and provide mentoring or training.

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: Senior