Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Dulles, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join the rapidly growing Space Superiority Division. Space is no longer a sanctuary- it is increasingly contested and operationally complex, and the need for resilient, responsive spacecraft and mission capabilities has never been greater. This is a chance to apply your space expertise to some of the most consequential technical challenges in the domain and to see your work fly.

You’ll join a cross-disciplinary team that develops, integrates, tests, and delivers advanced spacecraft and mission systems for space security missions. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience or demonstrated technical depth in spacecraft engineering, space mission design, mission analysis, or mission operations and apply that expertise to missions involving rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). RPO is routine work for this team, backed by hands-on operational experience and a proven on-orbit track record. Northrop Grumman leads the industry in this capability, and joining this team means working alongside the people who helped make that true.

As a Space Systems Engineer, you’ll help shape the spacecraft and mission across the full lifecycle-from mission architecture and concept development through detailed analysis, integration, test, launch, and on-orbit execution. You’ll solve challenging problems involving spacecraft performance, mission design, on-orbit operations, and system integration while helping deliver resilient capabilities for demanding and dynamic operational environments.

Primary responsibilities may include:

• Developing and evaluating spacecraft and mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), design reference missions, and operational scenarios.
• Performing mission-level analyses and technical trade studies.
• Assessing spacecraft day-in-the-life operations and developing mission sequences for launch, commissioning, on-orbit operations, RPO, and contingency scenarios.
• Collaborating across spacecraft, payload, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), software, communications, ground, and mission-operations teams to develop an integrated spacecraft and mission solution.
• Working with mission partners to model and mature mission elements, operational concepts, interfaces, and execution plans.
• Supporting the development of new spacecraft and modification of existing spacecraft to enable an accelerated path from mission concept to launch and on-orbit operations.
• Developing analysis, modeling, and automation tools to evaluate mission concepts, operational scenarios, design alternatives, and spacecraft performance.
• Developing and managing mission, system, and subsystem requirements, including decomposition, allocation, traceability, verification, and validation.
• Defining and managing internal and external interfaces among spacecraft, payloads, host vehicles, RPO sensor suites, ground systems, and mission partners.
• Supporting spacecraft integration and test, mission-readiness activities, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit execution.
• Supporting major program milestones, technical reviews, and mission-readiness reviews by developing technical content and translating complex engineering information into clear assessments and briefings for customers, program leadership, and other key stakeholders.
• Authoring and contributing to mission-engineering products, systems engineering artifacts, technical reports, and other critical program deliverables.

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time determined by the company.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 2 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s Degree
• Requires U.S. an active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at time of application.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the design, development, integration, test, or operation of spacecraft, space-based systems, or space missions more broadly.
• Demonstrated experience performing one or more systems-engineering functions, such as requirements development and management, interface definition and control, system architecture definition, concept of operations 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An active or current TS/SCI Clearance.
• Experience developing spacecraft or space-mission architectures, concepts of operations (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.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear recommendations and briefings for senior technical, program, customer, or executive stakeholders.

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Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate’s experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

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.