Ground Mission Architect

Northrop Grumman; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 177,000 - 265,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a mission architect in Virginia to lead technical efforts for space security missions. This role requires a deep understanding of engineering principles and systems engineering practices, alongside an active Top Secret clearance.

The successful candidate will engage with customers and lead technical meetings while mentoring mission architects within the organization. Strong background in mission design and satellite systems is essential, with a focus on driving product development and managing various security constructs.

Qualifications

• Experience in mission design and satellite hardware/software is preferred.
• Necessary to have a Top-Secret security clearance.
• Must have knowledge of systems engineering principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical efforts for capture and strategy in missions.
• Interface with customers for mission ground systems.
• Perform systems of systems trades and modeling to assess architectures.

Skills

Engineering principles

Systems Engineering

Mission design expertise

Satellite ground software

Architectural design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or STEM

12+ years experience in related field

Tools

Modeling and simulation tools

Cyber security frameworks

Job description

Overview

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: No

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Dulles, VA, is looking for an experienced mission architect who can be the subject matter expert and key customer interface for space security missions, focused on Ground Design and integration. This Architect will lead technical efforts supporting capture and strategy, aligning missions across security constructs, use common software, and integrating with services around the globe. This candidate will closely work with business development, business directors, external customers, and external subject matter experts to shape the feasibility of new ground architectures.

This position requires up to 100% on-site work due to security constraints and an ability to pass an enhanced security review.

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

You Will Be Responsible For

• Interface and drive engagement with customers and stakeholders for mission ground systems
• Promulgate a clear vision of common grounds and how to use them for disparate missions at multiple security levels
• Mentor mission architects and systems engineers in ground design, mission specific software within the ground framework, and enabling SV behavior to achieve the end to end mission
• Direct developmental and analytical efforts to reduce risk, mature the system, ensure mission success, and grow the business area
• Support the family of programs with system architecture establishment/evolution and CONOPs development
• Ability to capture core concepts and instructional needs from a large amount of technical data (ground and space hardware) and communicate technical concepts to an audience of non-subject matter experts with varying levels of domain experience
• Be self-directed and able to envision the end state of the product and take initiative to drive product development to closure
• Educate leads, customers, and engineers on mission capability, analysis, and CONOPS
• Perform system-of-system trades, modeling, simulation and analysis to assess space mission architecture alternatives for delivering a customer mission effect, data or capability as it fits within a broader campaign
• Support capture activities, including RFI/RFP preparation, customer presentations and demonstrations, and competitor analysis
• Brief and lead technical meetings for senior leaders across the space community

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or other STEM related degree with 12+ years of experience in a related engineering field such as mechanical, electrical, aerospace and/or operations; 10 years with a Master’s; 7 years with a PhD
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret security clearance at time of application current and within scope with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access
• Understanding of Systems Engineering principles and practices
• Experience with developing and presenting briefing slides to senior leaders and executive level personnel
• Ground design implementation, architectural design, and knowledge of cyber security frameworks for national security systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in mission design, satellite ground software, satellite hardware, and distributed modeling & simulation
• Understanding of system of system architecture designs the interplay between various national security customers and products
• Prior aerospace-related work experience for a U.S Government Agency or Contractor
• Previous experience with flight hardware on operational system
• Previous experience with Class C / demonstration programs

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $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.