SDA Software Systems Engineer - Level 2/3

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

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 at the Space Systems Sector to join our SDA-related efforts in Redondo Beach, CA. This on-site role requires collaborating across internal teams and external partners to define and validate complex space system requirements.

Level 2 or 3 candidates will contribute through MBSE, ConOps, and architecture work, while maintaining clear communication and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 2+ years in systems engineering for aerospace/space programs.
• Ability and willingness to obtain/maintain DoD Secret clearance.
• Experience with MBSE tools and documenting system requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, integrate, and verify SDA system requirements and capabilities.
• Perform lifecycle systems engineering activities including analysis and architecture.
• Coordinate with software, hardware, cybersecurity, and test teams for interoperability.
• Create and maintain requirements, ICDs, ConOps, verification matrices, and presentations.
• Support trade studies, analyses, and risk assessments to meet mission objectives.
• Communicate technical information clearly to internal teams and government customers.
• Support system integration, test planning, and anomaly resolution to satisfy requirements.

Skills

MBSE tools

Python

AWS

Communication skills

DoD Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

CAMEO

SysML

UML

Job description

Job Details

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Company Culture

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.

Job Description

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Benefits

• 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.

Salary

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.

Application Period

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Additional Information

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.