Principal/Senior Principal Space Systems Engineer Software Test*

Northrop Grumman; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Chantilly, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join a cross-disciplinary team developing, integrating, testing, and delivering advanced spacecraft and mission systems for space security missions.

You will contribute across the full lifecycle—from mission architecture and concept development to detailed analysis, integration, test, launch, and on-orbit execution—applying expertise in spacecraft performance, mission design, and system

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required at Level 3 or 4; rigorous systems engineering experience.
• Experience in space systems engineering, mission design, or mission operations preferred.
• Active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance required at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Lead DITL system test readiness and execution to validate end-to-end mission scenarios.
• Develop, document, and maintain detailed test plans and configurations per SOW.

Skills

Systems engineering

Space mission planning

System test methods

Cross-functional leadership

Technical briefings

Multi-discipline collaboration

Space systems design

Mission engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Automated test frameworks

Log/telemetry analysis

Defect tracking

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 Space Systems in Chantilly, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join the rapidly growing Space Superiority Division.

You will 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 complex, operationally focused space missions. This team's work is backed by hands-on operational experience and a proven on-orbit track record. Northrop Grumman leads the industry in advanced space mission capabilities, 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:

• Lead Day-In-The-Life (DITL) system test readiness and execution events, ensuring end-to-end mission scenarios are validated.
• Develop, document, and maintain detailed system test plans, procedures, and test configurations aligned to statement-of-work (SOW) requirements and program milestones.
• Execute DITL and system test events, monitor and report system behavior and stability, and proactively report issues related to system scalability, performance, and mission risk.
• Prepare and present test results, technical reviews, and briefing materials for working groups, technical reviews, and program status forums, driving closure of test-related actions and requirements.
• 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, sensor suites, ground systems, and mission partners.
• 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.

This position is 100% on-site and eligible for a $10,000 sign-on bonus for external candidates.

This position can be filled at Level 3 or Level 4

Basic Qualifications:

• Level 3: Bachelor's degree with 5 years of professional experience or Master's degree with 3 years of professional experience or PhD with 1 year of professional experience
• Level 4: Bachelor's degree with 8 years of professional experience or Master's degree with 6 years of professional experience or PhD with 4 years of professional experience
• Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
• Demonstrated experience supporting the development of a space or ground system
• Demonstrated Systems Engineering experience (e.g., requirements management, system architecture development, CONOPs development, mission engineering, modeling and simulation)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience testing complex software-intensive systems, with emphasis on mission-thread or Day-In-The-Life testing for space or aerospace/defense programs.
• Working knowledge of space satellite mission planning and operations, including familiarity with mission timelines, command and control, and ground system workflows.
• Proficiency with system test methodologies and tools (e.g., automated test frameworks, log/telemetry analysis, defect tracking), including experience monitoring system stability and scalability under operationally realistic loads.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional test events, synthesize complex results into clear briefings, and drive SOW/test requirements to closure with stakeholders.
• Experience developing technical briefings and communicating complex engineering information to senior technical, program, customer, or executive stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines to resolve technical issues and develop integrated spacecraft or mission solutions.
• Experience in Space Superiority mission design, satellite ground software, distributed modeling & simulation.
• Mission system requirements, verification/validation planning, mission planning/execution, mission analysis, modeling/simulation, system trade studies.

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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. 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