Ground Control Segment ( GCS ) Staff Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 152,900 - 265,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health plan

PTO and benefits package

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Ground Control Segment Staff Systems Engineer to lead the Mux TACAIR ground segment design, architecture, and integration. You will own rack-level hardware design, work with multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate with customers and suppliers.

This on-site role in Melbourne, FL offers complex system development, agile practices (JIRA), and exposure to flight test operations. Responsibilities include leading trade studies, interface definitions, and program-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field; 12+ years experience (or equivalent 4 years per degree) for senior role.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain SAP clearance.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance required.
• Experience with ground system architectures for aircraft (manned/unmanned).
• Experience leading small cross-disciplinary engineering teams (4–6 people).
• Experience creating, maintaining, and releasing engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, integration, and verification of the Mux TACAIR ground control segment; define and maintain ground segment architecture.
• Plan and document trade studies; maintain CONOPS, system diagrams, and interface definitions.
• Own rack level design for computing and networking equipment; ensure manufacturability and testability.
• Develop, review, and release engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.
• Lead software/hardware integration, HMI development, lab integration, and end-to-end system verification.
• Oversee flight test readiness, including configuration, planning, procedures, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate with customers and suppliers; manage SOWs and ensure smooth cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Technical leadership

Ground system architecture

Customer interfacing

System integration

HMI development

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science/Engineering

Master’s or PhD (preferred)

Tools

JIRA

CAD/ECAD

MPLM

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

Description

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 Mission System’s Engineering and Sciences (E&S) Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) Division is seeking a Ground Control Segment (GCS) Staff Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. You will serve as the technical lead for the Mux TACAIR ground segment, owning the ground architecture, rack level design, interface definitions, and integration/verification approach in coordination with multi-disciplinary engineering, manufacturing, and program teams.

This position will be located on-site at one of the following Northrop Grumman facilities: Melbourne, FL, Linthicum, MD or San Diego, CA.

What You’ll Get To Do

Ground Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Lead the design, development, integration, and verification of the Mux TACAIR ground control segment, defining and maintaining the ground segment architecture in alignment with program objectives, customer requirements, and applicable standards.
• Plan, execute, and document trade studies on architecture, hardware configurations, communication paths, and control strategies, and maintain architecture documentation (CONOPS, system diagrams, interface definitions, technical baselines, and configuration records).

Rack Level & Hardware Design

• Own rack level design for computing and networking equipment, including layout, power, cooling, interfaces, and maintainability, ensuring the ground segment addresses manufacturability, integration, testability, and lifecycle support.
• Develop, review, and release engineering drawings, schematics, and bills of material (BOMs) associated with the ground control segment design.

Integration, Verification, And Flight Test

• Lead software/hardware integration for the ground control segment, including Human-Machine Interface (HMI) development, lab integration and test of hardware, software, and networks, and end to end system verification.
• Oversee ground segment readiness and support execution of flight test, including configuration definition, test planning, procedures, and issue resolution.

Cross Functional Collaboration, Customer Interface & Supplier Management

• Coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program management to ensure accurate ground segment definition and integration.
• Serve as the primary technical interface to the customer for ground segment topics, including requirements clarification, design reviews, technical discussions, issue resolution, and related briefings to customers and internal leadership.
• Apply Agile practices with the Systems Engineering team (e.g., JIRA) to manage backlog, track progress, and coordinate work across other teams.
• Manage supplier and subcontractors for ground segment hardware and software, including SOW development and oversight of technical deliverables.

This position is contingent on the successful transfer of an active U.S Government Secret clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years of experience, a master’s degree with 10 years of experience, or a PhD with 8 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields; an additional 4 years may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• A current/active U.S Government Secret Clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
• Experience working with ground system/segment architectures for aircraft (manned and/or unmanned).
• Experience providing technical leadership to a small team (approximately 4–6 people) across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience creating, maintaining, and releasing engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.
• Experience with configuration management and engineering change processes.
• Experience writing and presenting technical information to customers and internal management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or related technical fields.
• Active U.S Government Top Secret Clearance or higher.
• Knowledge of, or experience with, common ground segment approaches, implementations, components, standards, interfaces, constraints, and security requirements for aircraft/UAS.
• Prior experience with UAV or UAS ground control segments, including use in development and flight test operations.
• Experience with software/hardware integration, including HMI development.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and tools such as JIRA.
• Experience with cybersecurity requirements and/or implementation for ground systems.
• Experience supporting the full lifecycle of designs, including initial design, reviews, approval, and implementation (cradle to grave).
• Experience working with suppliers and subcontractors, including development and management of SOWs.
• Experience with tools such as CAD, ECAD, and MPLM for hardware and configuration definition.

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.

Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.

Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.

Primary Level Salary Range: $152,900.00 - $265,600.00

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.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.