Principal Systems Test Engineer – Systems Tester (26-471)

Northrop Grumman; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 94,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Training and Development

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration in Colorado Springs, CO, seeks a Principal Engineer Systems Test – Systems Tester to support C2BMC flight and ground testing. The role requires a current Top Secret clearance and 8140 certification, with on-site work and no relocation assistance.

Responsibilities include organizing tests, data analysis, and coordinating with MDIOC/BMDSS and government customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years experience or Master’s with 3+ years; or 9+ years experience in lieu of a degree.
• 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher required at start.
• Active Top Secret clearance required to start; SCI clearance ability.

Responsibilities

• Identify required resources and objectives for the system under test; develop data archival and analysis plans; prepare post-mission reports.
• Navigate MDIOC/BMDSS approval processes and support boards; coordinate with test participants and managers.
• Develop/test architecture and procedures; ensure on-site execution on 4x10‑hour schedule at a Lockheed Martin facility.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership ability

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/SE/Math/Physics

Master’s degree in related field (preferred)

8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher

Tools

Unix command‑line tools

Python

Scripting

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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—Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for an NG ONLY: Principal Engineer Systems Test – Systems Tester (26-471) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels.

This position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options.

Position Overview:

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a key part of the Missile Defense System. This vital operational system enables the U.S. president, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, monitor the battle collectively, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals. C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities, enabling an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It acts as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations worldwide and regionally to improve performance. C2BMC is essential to all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate current and future missile defense system capabilities.

C2BMC Global has an immediate need for a Test Analyst to assist with organizing and participating in Flight and Ground Tests. GAITS CFPT is seeking to augment its staff with a highly motivated and skilled individual to support the assessment of successful Flight and Ground Tests.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for identifying required resources, developing and understanding mission objectives for the system(s) under test, developing data archival and analysis plans, and preparing post-mission reports
• Should understand and have experience with various event board approval structures, including MDIOC and BMDSS support processes, the MDA/BC approval chain, and National Team engineering boards (PERB, CEAT)
• The ideal candidate will also have experience operating C2BMC, knowledge of the system configuration, experience with system operations, the ability to navigate display screens, and an understanding of system operations
• Will be responsible for configuration management and control of test resources, articles, and tools used for data collection during the event
• The candidate will also serve as the I&T liaison to other C2BMC test participants and to MDA/BCT test managers
• The Test Director will coordinate with the project leading various experiments to ensure seamless execution of events across the entire I&T mission
• The Test Director will develop and maintain the test architecture, which encompasses all articles under test
• The candidate will also develop any additional procedures needed to ensure successful execution
• This position requires onsite work at a designated Lockheed Martin facility on a 4x10-hour schedule, with three days off each week. This condensed schedule gives employees more time away from the office

Basic Qualifications:

• Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software and/or Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 5 years of experience; or a Master’s degree in a related field with 3 years of relevant work experience; or 9 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree
• Applicants must have a current, active Government-Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start. The candidate is responsible for maintaining their 8140 certifications throughout the entire contract period
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start, with the ability to obtain an SCI clearance
• Must understand systems engineering processes and logistics principles, including the creation of artifacts such as Specifications, Interface Control Documents, System Architecture Descriptions, Use Cases, and Trade Studies
• Experience working in an integrated team with systems, software, and specialty engineers to develop solutions using NT or similar processes and methods.
• The successful candidate will be able to develop briefings and communicate complex ideas in writing, work comfortably as part of a team, learn quickly, work hard, and adapt to changing technology.
• The candidate must have strong verbal and written communication skills to work effectively in a small technical team and clearly represent test perspectives to C2BMC system architects, software designers, other testers and test support personnel, the Government customer, and staff in other MDA programs
• The candidate must understand systems engineering, systems design, and development
• The candidate will also have at least two years of experience in a related engineering environment, with strong expertise in defining and integrating systems of systems
• Ability to analyze high-level needs and use a structured, logical approach to refine them into an integrated set of requirements that results in a fielded product
• Ability to lead portions of the activity and direct fellow engineers' activities
• Communicates effectively, clearly presenting technical approaches and findings, and can develop and implement engineering plans within a project
• Previous experience should demonstrate the technical skills and responsibilities for the position cited here

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicants with a current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret/SCI security clearance at the time of application are highly preferred
• Experience with approval boards from other organizations that sponsor such tests (e.g., JIAMDO, AFSPC, JFCC-IMD) is highly desired
• Previous experience working with JAT, MDDC, and other related organizations is preferred
• Experience with network applications and networking concepts is preferred, as is familiarity with military missile defense systems—such as AN/TPY2, SBIRS/BOA, Aegis, THAAD, Patriot, and SBX—and their operational characteristics
• Experience with Ballistic Missile defense systems is highly desired
• Unix command-line tools, Bash, Perl scripting, Linux, statistics, technical writing and test procedure creation, communication and presentation skills, space/C2BMC/missile defense experience, Agile development, automated testing frameworks, and requirement and verification spreadsheet analysis
• Experience with analysis tools: developing JAVA software or PYTHON scripts; post-processing and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses of collected data; creating action plans based on data analysis; documenting software deficiency reports; and presenting analysis results and action plans orally and/or in writing (e.g., slides, annotated slides, or test report documents)

What We Can Offer You:

• Health Plan
• Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Education Assistance
• Training and Development
• Flexible Work Arrangements

https://benefits.northropgrumman.com/us/en2/BenefitsOverview/Pages/default.aspx

Primary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00

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.

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.