Principal Space Systems Engineer - Space Superiority

ngc; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

100% on site

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Dulles, Virginia, seeks an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join the Space Superiority Division. You will shape spacecraft architecture, perform mission analyses, and collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver integrated space missions.

The role requires a TS clearance and involves on-site work in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to contribute to high‑impact space programs and mission readiness activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 5 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s Degree and 3 years of applicable experience, or a PhD and 1 year of applicable experience.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at time of application.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, testing, or operating spacecraft or space missions.

Responsibilities

• Developing and evaluating spacecraft and mission architectures, CONOPS, and operational scenarios.
• Performing mission-level analyses and technical trade studies.
• Managing interfaces and ensuring system integration across multiple engineering disciplines.

Skills

Space systems engineering

RPO experience

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

Tools

MBSE tools

Systems Tool Kit (STK)

Python

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

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 Dulles, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join the rapidly growing Space Superiority Division. Space is no longer a sanctuary— it is increasingly contested and operationally complex, and the need for resilient, responsive spacecraft and mission capabilities has never been greater. This is a chance to apply your space expertise to some of the most consequential technical challenges in the domain and to see your work fly.

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 missions involving rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). RPO is routine work for this team, backed by hands‑on operational experience and a proven on‑orbit track record. Northrop Grumman leads the industry in this capability, 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:

• Developing and evaluating spacecraft and mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), design reference missions, and operational scenarios.
• Performing mission‑level analyses and technical trade studies.
• Assessing spacecraft day‑in‑the‑life operations and developing mission sequences for launch, commissioning, on‑orbit operations, RPO, and contingency scenarios.
• Collaborating across spacecraft, payload, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), software, communications, ground, and mission‑operations teams to develop an integrated spacecraft and mission solution.
• Working with mission partners to model and mature mission elements, operational concepts, interfaces, and execution plans.
• Supporting the development of new spacecraft and modification of existing spacecraft to enable an accelerated path from mission concept to launch and on‑orbit operations.
• Developing analysis, modeling, and automation tools to evaluate mission concepts, operational scenarios, design alternatives, and spacecraft performance.
• 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, RPO sensor suites, ground systems, and mission partners.
• Supporting spacecraft integration and test, mission‑readiness activities, launch preparation, commissioning, and on‑orbit execution.
• 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.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 5 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s Degree and 3 years of applicable experience, or a PhD and 1 year of applicable experience
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at time of application.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the design, development, integration, test, or operation of spacecraft, space-based systems, or space missions more broadly.
• Demonstrated experience performing one or more systems‑engineering functions, such as requirements development and management, interface definition and control, system architecture definition, concept of operations development, technical trade studies, or system verification and validation.
• Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines to resolve technical issues and develop integrated spacecraft or mission solutions.
• Experience developing technical documentation and communicating complex engineering information to technical teams, program leadership, customers, or mission partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An active or current TS/SCI Clearance.
• Experience developing spacecraft or space‑mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), design reference missions, or operational scenarios.
• Experience performing mission analyses, performance analyses, or technical trade studies involving spacecraft and space missions.
• Experience supporting multiple phases of the spacecraft lifecycle, including design, integration, test, launch, commissioning, and on‑orbit operations.
• Experience developing analytical, modeling, or automation tools using Python, MATLAB, Systems Tool Kit (STK), or comparable tools.
• Experience with model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) methods and tools.
• Experience with spacecraft integration and test, mission‑readiness activities, anomaly resolution, or on‑orbit mission support.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government space programs or missions in the space security domain.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear recommendations and briefings for senior technical, program, customer, or executive stakeholders.

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Primary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00

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.