Ground Flight Dynamics Software Engineer (Level 3 or 4) - AHT

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Discretionary bonus potential

Long Term Incentives (VP/Director)

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, CA seeks a Ground Flight Dynamics Software Engineer (Level 3/4) to join the Western Region Software Engineering Directorate. You will work onsite with a diverse team on flight dynamics and satellite trajectory optimization.

The role requires a STEM degree with extensive software experience, an active Secret clearance, and strong Python/MATLAB skills for challenging aerospace programs. Relocation may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of software experience or Master’s with 3+ years, or PhD with 1+ year.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance required at time of application.
• Experience with astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Programming in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience designing/optimizing satellite trajectories and maneuvers.
• Hands-on experience developing software tools for constellation deployment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as key interface with customers and partners in meetings.
• Apply problem-solving to address complex technical concepts.
• Prepare charts and present data with clear written/verbal communication.
• Mentor team members and manage tasks across multiple schedules.

Skills

FreeFlyer

Astrodynamics

Python

MATLAB

Satellite trajectories

Orbital mechanics

Education

B.S. or higher in STEM

Master's or PhD (advantageous)

Tools

FreeFlyer

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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’s Space Sector is seeking a Ground Flight Dynamics Software Engineer (Level 3 or 4) to join our team of highly qualified, diverse professionals within the Western Region Software Engineering Directorate. This position is located onsite in Redondo Beach, CA. The Western Region Software Engineering organization comprises over 800 skilled professionals—including Software Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Database Administrators, and Network Engineers—at every career stage, from early‑career engineers to senior chief engineers and architects. The organization supports numerous programs and offers ample opportunities for advancement into higher‑level technical roles or leadership positions. Our culture promotes cross‑program collaboration, continuous professional development, and a strong sense of community.

Job responsibilities of the Ground Flight Dynamics Software Engineer (Level 3 or 4) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serving as a key interface with external stakeholders, representing Northrop Grumman (NG) in meetings with customers and external program integration partners.
• Applying strong problem‑solving skills to quickly understand and address complex technical concepts.
• Preparing charts, present data, and provide recommendations to internal teams, program leadership, and external customers, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Managing tasking and mentor team members across multiple program schedules with tight deadlines.

Basic Qualifications:

• Principal Software Engineer (Level 3) Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+years of relevant software engineering experience or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with3+years of stated experience or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with1+years of stated experience.
• Sr. Principal Software Engineer (Level 4) Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8+years of relevant software engineering experience or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with6+years of stated experience or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with4+years of stated experience.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance required at the time of application.
• Experience using FreeFlyer or similar flight dynamics modeling software.
• Hands‑on experience with astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience programming in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience designing and/or optimizing satellite trajectories and maneuvers.
• Familiarity with spacecraft deployment, state estimation, and station keeping concepts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands‑on experience developing software tools for constellation deployment, mission planning, and orbit raising.
• Experience with low‑thrust maneuver planning and nonlinear optimization algorithms.
• Knowledge of optical crosslink planning and automation of large satellite constellations (orbit determination, ephemeris propagation, maneuver planning).
• Demonstrated ability to deliver innovative solutions for small‑sat and new space missions.
• Experience presenting technical work and system design at major reviews (e.g., Preliminary/Critical Design Review (PDR/CDR)) with government customers.

Primary Level Salary Range:

$114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range:

$142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.

Benefits & Perks:

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• 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

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.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.