Systems Engineer - Level 2/3 - East Hartford

Northrop Grumman • East Hartford, CT

2d • $91,800 - $171,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Level 2 or Level 3 Systems Engineer to support the Optics product area within the Thermal, Optics, & Power Systems (TOPS) Operating Unit. The work supports thermal heat pipes, opto-mechanical systems, and electrical power systems. The position is based 100% onsite in East Hartford, Connecticut, with qualified candidates near Hanover, Maryland potentially considered for the Hanover site. Telecommuting is not available. The role reports to the Structural Engineering Manager and follows a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

The Systems Engineer will provide deep Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) expertise and systems thinking to help teams make better technical decisions, reduce iteration cycles, and deliver high-confidence solutions. Responsibilities include leading MBSE architecture development for advanced concept and campaign efforts; translating mission needs into architectures, requirements, behaviors, interfaces, and traceable model artifacts; managing requirements and interfaces; conducting modeling, simulation, analyses, and trade studies; and collaborating across engineering and mission teams. The role also includes communicating technical concepts to engineering teams and senior leadership and conducting peer reviews.

Travel is required as needed, estimated at 10% of the time. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance. Salary ranges are $91,800–$137,600 for the primary level and $108,800–$171,000 for the secondary level. Compensation may also include overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position. Northrop Grumman offers health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off.

Requirements

• For Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 2 years of professional experience, or a master’s degree and 0 years of professional experience.
• For Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 5 years of professional experience, or a master’s degree and 3 years of professional experience, or a Ph.D. and 1 year of professional experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance.
• Hands-on MBSE experience on complex aerospace, defense, or advanced technology programs.
• Demonstrated strength in system architecture, requirements analysis, interface definition, and technical decomposition of complex systems.
• Analytical problem-solving ability and strong technical skills; results- and deadline-driven approach; excellent oral and written communication, including presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office software.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction while contributing effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods and perform light physical effort as required.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience supporting advanced development, campaign planning, or early-phase concept definition activities for space applications.
• Experience influencing technical direction across cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to solve difficult problems with urgency, creativity, and discipline.
• Experience with MBSE software tools such as CATIA Magic/Cameo Modeler.
• Familiarity with digital engineering toolchains, model-based methods, and model-centric architecture development.
• Active Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead MBSE architecture development for advanced concept and campaign efforts.
• Translate high-level mission needs into architectures, requirements, behaviors, interfaces, and traceable model artifacts.
• Organize and define system-level requirements; derive and allocate requirements to subsystems, performing or coordinating analyses as required.
• Manage the requirements baseline in a relational database such as DOORS, write requirement specifications, create Requirements Traceability and Verification Matrices (RTVMs), and collect objective quality evidence (OQE) to verify requirements.
• Develop system modeling, simulation, analysis, trade studies, system capability analysis, and system performance/effectiveness analysis to ensure capabilities are consistent with mission requirements.
• Identify internal and external interfaces, define interface parameters, develop interface control documents and deliverables, and participate in architecture and design development to resolve interface issues and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate across systems, software, hardware, integration, and mission teams to align technical solutions and execution.
• Communicate complex technical ideas clearly to engineering teams and senior leadership.
• Conduct peer reviews of engineering work products to ensure quality, consistency, and technical integrity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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, depending on the position

What This Job Offers

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