Space Systems Engineer Level 3 or 4

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Systems Engineer Level 3/4 in Dulles, VA to lead end-to-end space vehicle integration with launch providers and manage launch campaigns. You will coordinate range operations, safety documentation, and interface control documents with multiple partners.

Expected to deliver readiness reviews and daily campaign updates. Candidates should have STEM degrees with required experience, MIL-STD-882 familiarity, and an active Top Secret (SCI) clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in STEM with 5+ years' experience for Level 3; Master's with 3 years or PhD with 1 year.
• Level 4 requires 8+ years for Bachelor’s, 6 years for Master’s, or 4 years for PhD in STEM.
• Experience in space systems, launch vehicles, payloads, or ground systems.
• Familiarity with launch/range operations and mission integration.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end integration of space vehicles onto launch vehicles.
• Coordinate launch base processing and execution of launch operations.
• Interface with LVC, range, facilities, and other mission partners.
• Prepare safety documentation per SSCMAN 91-710 and MIL-STD-882 hazards.
• Develop IRDs, ICDs, and launch base requirements and procedures.
• Support Launch Readiness Reviews and closure actions.
• Provide status reporting during launch campaigns.
• Participate in mission working groups across teams.
• Generate documentation for program reviews and rehearsals.
• Ensure interfaces between space vehicle and launch vehicle meet requirements.
• Manage and review range products for space vehicle releases.
• Guide trailblazers/pathfinders and interface simulators.

Skills

Space systems experience

Launch campaign execution

Systems engineering processes

Interface with stakeholders

Hazard analysis MIL-STD-882

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

DOORS

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 seeks a Systems Engineer Level 3 or 4 to join our team in Dulles, Virginia. As a Systems Engineer in the LSI (Launch Services Integration) role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end integration of Northrop Grumman space vehicles onto the selected launch vehicle, coordination of launch base processing, and execution of launch and ascent operations. You will serve as a primary technical interface between Northrop Grumman and key launch campaign stakeholders, including the Launch Vehicle Contractor (LVC), launch range, launch base processing facilities, data and communications providers, day-of-launch tracking organizations, and other mission participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead space vehicle integration with various Launch Service providers
• Plan and execute all aspects of the launch lifecycle, from early integration studies through transport, SV checkout, fueling, rehearsals, launch operations, and day-of-launch activities.
• Plan and manage launch site operations and logistics in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare, review, and secure acceptance of launch range safety documentation in accordance with SSCMAN 91-710.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate spacecraft hazards using the processes described in MIL-STD-882.
• Coordinate range operations, including preparation and delivery of required range products for the space vehicle (e.g., OR/OD deliverables).
• Plan and execute trailblazers/pathfinders, interface simulators, separation system fit checks and match-mates.
• Lead and/or participate in mission working groups, including mission integration, ground operations, flight operations, and day-of-launch forums.
• Provide technical support for mission program reviews, integrated schedule development and management, rehearsal planning and execution, and daily status reporting during launch campaigns.
• Develop space vehicle–to–launch vehicle interface definition and requirements documentation, including Interface Requirements Documents (IRDs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and launch base requirements and procedures.
• Prepare and deliver documentation in support of major Launch Readiness Reviews, and coordinate execution of associated closure actions.

Basic Qualifications

• Systems Engineer 3: Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 5+ years of engineering experience OR Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 3 years of experience or PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) with 1 year of experience.
• Systems Engineer 4: Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 8+ years of engineering experience OR Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 6 years of experience or PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) with 4 years of experience.
• Experience in space systems, launch vehicles, payloads, or ground systems or other relevant experience.
• Familiarity with launch or range operations, mission integration, or space vehicle integration processing.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret Security Clearance and ability to obtain SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with other government agencies and mission partners
• Experience with launch campaign execution, including launch base processing, rehearsals, and day‑of‑launch operations.
• Experience working with U.S. launch ranges and associated processes, including range safety documentation compliant with SSCMAN 91-710.
• Experience interacting with Launch Service Providers and Launch Vehicle Contractors.
• Knowledge of systems engineering processes and experience with DOORS or other requirements management tools.
• Active US Government Top Secret and SCI Security Clearance.

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.

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.