SDA Software Systems Engineer - Level 2/3

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Li

Paid Time Off

Health & Wellness Resources

Employee Discounts

Flexible Schedules

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Systems Engineer – Level 2 or 3 for the Space Development Agency programs in Redondo Beach, CA. On-site role requiring collaboration across software, hardware, and cybersecurity teams to deliver end-to-end system solutions.

The role emphasizes MBSE, requirements management, and interface definitions, with opportunities for growth and exposure to government customers. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 2+ years in systems engineering or Master’s in STEM
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
• Experience managing requirements, architecture, and CONOPs development
• Working knowledge of MBSE tools (CAMEO, SysML, or UML)
• Past experience using Python
• Strong written and verbal communication across teams
• Familiarity with AWS and cloud technologies

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and verify SDA program system requirements
• Perform MBSE activities across the program lifecycle
• Coordinate with software, hardware, integration/test, cybersecurity, and mission partners
• Develop system engineering artifacts (ICDs, ConOps, verification matrices)
• Support trade studies, analyses, and risk assessments
• Address complex technical concepts and integration challenges
• Prepare charts and presentations for internal teams and customers
• Support system integration, test planning, anomaly resolution, and verification/validation

Skills

MBSE tools

Python

Cloud awareness

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

Tools

CAMEO

SysML

UML

AWS

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: 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.

• This position is contingent upon program award.

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on the qualifications listed below.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is seeking a Systems Engineer – Level 2 or Level 3 to join our team in Redondo Beach, CA in support of the Space Development Agency (SDA) programs. This is an on-site role.

Job responsibilities of the SDA Systems Engineer include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supporting the definition, development, integration, and verification of system requirements for Space Development Agency (SDA) programs and related mission capabilities.
• Performing systems engineering activities across the program lifecycle, including requirements analysis, functional decomposition, interface definition, architecture development, and technical baseline management.
• Coordinating with software, hardware, integration and test, cybersecurity, mission operations, and external mission partners to ensure end-to-end system performance and interoperability.
• Developing and maintaining systems engineering artifacts such as requirements specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), concept of operations (ConOps), verification matrices, and technical presentations.
• Supporting trade studies, technical analyses, and risk assessments to evaluate design alternatives and recommend solutions that meet mission, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Applying strong problem-solving skills to quickly understand and address complex technical concepts, system issues, and integration challenges.
• Preparing charts, presenting data, and providing recommendations to internal teams, program leadership, government customers, and external stakeholders, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Supporting system integration, test planning, anomaly resolution, and verification/validation activities to ensure delivered capabilities satisfy mission and customer requirements.

Basic Qualifications for Systems Engineer – Level 2 / Level 3:

Systems Engineer Level 2:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM (engineering, computer science, physics, math, or related field) with 2+ years of relevant experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or space programs, or Master’s degree in STEM
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
• Demonstrated experience managing requirements, system architecture, and/or CONOPs development
• Working knowledge of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., CAMEO, SysML, or UML)
• Past experience using Python
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to document and communicate technical information clearly across teams
• Familiarity with AWS and cloud technologies

Systems Engineer Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM (engineering, computer science, physics, math, or related field) with 5+ years of relevant experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or space programs, or Master’s degree in STEM with 3+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 1 year of relevant experience.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
• Demonstrated experience managing requirements, system architecture, and/or CONOPs development
• Working knowledge of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., CAMEO, SysML, or UML)
• Past experience using Python
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to document and communicate technical information clearly across teams
• Familiarity with AWS and cloud technologies

Preferred Qualifications for Systems Engineer – Level 2 / Level 3:

• Active DOD Secret Clearance
• Direct experience with space systems, with emphasis on ground segment engineering (mission planning, ground SW, networking, cyber, operations)
• Hands-on CAMEO usage for requirements management/traceability, architecture modeling, and interface definition
• Familiarity with the full systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements flowdown, verification/validation, and risk management
• Exposure to cloud-based ground architectures (AWS, GovCloud), secure communications (IPSec), or integration with mission partners
• Experience supporting program milestones, major design reviews, or operational readiness events

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts
• Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.

#LosAngelesSpace #LI-DB1

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

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.