Principal/Senior Principal Space Systems Engineer Software Test*

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Sign-on bonus

On-site workplace

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Chantilly, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join the Space Superiority Division. You will work on advanced spacecraft and mission systems across the full lifecycle, from architecture to on-orbit execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The role requires a strong background in spacecraft engineering, mission design, and systems engineering, with opportunities to brief customers and program leadership.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree with professional experience in space systems engineering.
• Experience with requirements management and system architecture development.
• Experience in mission engineering, modeling and simulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead DITL test readiness and execution events for end-to-end mission scenarios.
• Develop and maintain detailed system test plans aligned to SOW requirements.
• Execute test events, monitor system behavior, and address performance and mission risk.

Skills

Space systems engineering

Requirements management

System architecture

Mission engineering

Modeling & simulation

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. 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.

Location and Opportunity

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Chantilly, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join the rapidly growing Space Superiority Division. You’ll 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.

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

The ideal candidate will meet the basic qualifications and one or more of the preferred qualifications listed. This position can be filled at Level 3 or Level 4.

Primary Responsibilities

• 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 elevate 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.

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.

Compensation and Benefits

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

Culture and Career

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.