Mission Operations Development Lead - Gilbert

0909 SP - Orbital Space Systems; United States; On-site; USD 123,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Mission Operations Development Lead Engineer for our Gilbert, AZ campus. This full‑time role supports multiple satellite programs and leads on‑orbit operations across the full mission lifecycle.

The position requires an active SCI clearance, extensive space operations experience, and strong scripting abilities to automate procedures and improve workflows. On‑site work in Arizona with occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Active Top-Secret/SCI clearance at time of application with willingness for polygraph.
• Experience conducting on-orbit mission operations and handling satellite/ground-system anomalies.
• Experience with at least one spacecraft subsystem (ADCS/GNC, comms, power, etc.).
• Strong written technical communication and ability to produce procedures and handbooks.

Responsibilities

• Provide mission operations support across LEOPS, NOMOPS, payload operations, and End-of-Life phases.
• Lead on-orbit procedure and script development and automation.
• Develop and verify on-orbit command procedures and automate scripts from concepts and vendor docs.
• Test on-orbit operational products using simulators and resolve discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain operation handbooks and operator reference guides for LEOPS and NOMOPS.

Skills

On-orbit operations

Python scripting

Systems engineering

Technical writing

Mission operations procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Company Overview

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.

Role Overview

The Mission Operations Development group is looking for a Mission Operations Development Lead Engineer to join a growing team on our Gilbert, AZ campus. This full‑time technical role will support multiple satellite programs and lead the development and execution of on‑orbit operations across the full mission lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide mission operations support to Northrop Grumman satellite programs across LEOPS, NOMOPS, payload operations, and End‑of‑Life phases.
• Lead on‑orbit procedure and script development and automation.
• Development and verification of on‑orbit command procedures and automate scripts based on operational concepts and vendor documentation.
• Testing on‑orbit operational products using simulators and resolving discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain Signatures, Limits, and Constraints documentation.
• Author and maintain on‑orbit handbooks and operator reference guides for Launch & Early Operations (LEOPS), transition to NOMOPS, routine NOMOPS, and payload event operations.
• Develop and deliver system familiarization and operator training.
• Lead rehearsal activities for key on‑orbit events, Mission Readiness Tests (MRTs), Mission Rehearsals (MRs), Day‑In‑The‑Life (DITL), LEOPS events, transition to NOMOPS, and major payload events.
• Execute Launch and Early Operations (LEOPS).
• On‑console support during launch, early orbit, and transfer operations.
• Provide On‑Orbit Test planning and execution support to the Satellite Control Authority (SCA) OOT procedure development, test timeline definition, data review, and documentation of results and recommendations.
• Support passivation and End of Life (EOL) planning and execution.
• Lead development and test of command procedures, telemetry pages, and other mission operations products derived from vendor and system engineering documentation.
• Develop on orbit products including operation procedures and executable on orbit scripts.
• Make modifications to existing operations procedures and products to incorporate lessons learned from in‑flight performance, and develop new procedures as required.
• Support system development activities such as requirements management, operations concept development, architecture input, integration and test, and formal program milestones.
• Work closely with systems engineers to develop operational documentation and concepts for on‑orbit checkout, commissioning, and routine operations.
• Participate in on‑orbit anomaly resolution efforts.
• Provide status reporting through both functional and program reporting channels.
• Support multiple programs within the same product line with consistent application of Integrated/Developmental Operations processes and standards.
• Support internal and external customer meetings through proficient verbal and written communication (MS PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Excel).
• Role may require shift work and travel (~20% of the time) for simulations, rehearsals, launch campaigns, and on‑site operations support.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related discipline and 8 years of relevant experience; 6 years with a Master’s; 4 years with a PhD.
• Requires an active Top‑Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application with willingness to take a polygraph.
• Prior experience conducting on‑orbit mission operations and/or resolving satellite/ground system anomalies.
• Experience with at least one spacecraft subsystem (e.g., ADCS/GNC, command and data handling, communications, power, thermal, flight software, orbital planning and dynamics, etc.).
• Systems engineering experience or significant coursework in systems engineering or system design.
• Experience writing technical documents for internal or external customers (e.g., procedures, handbooks, test plans, or operations documentation).
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive presentations to external customers at milestone reviews.
• Experience with scripting for automation (e.g., Perl, Python, or equivalent) applied to mission operations products and workflows.
• Experience in on orbit script and procedure development.
• EVMS experience reporting to project management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional mission operations activities (rehearsals, LEOPS, OOT, or anomaly resolution).
• Experience with mission operations development of on orbit handbooks, operational procedure and script development.
• Support of readiness activities to include Mission Readiness Tests (MRTs), Mission Rehearsals (MRs), Day‑In‑The‑Life (DITL), and daily operations testing.
• On console experience during a launch and early operations campaign.
• Familiarity with training and certification programs for space system operations.
• Work experience with external System Integrator.
• Knowledge of STOL programing language.

Salary and Benefits

Primary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Company Culture and Opportunities

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.