Space Vehicle Chief Engineer & Senior Systems Lead

Northrop Grumman; Virginia; On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive benefits

Bonus potential

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector seeks a qualified Chief Engineer to lead a Space Vehicle development program. You will direct a multi-disciplinary team, serve as primary technical advisor to the program manager, and coordinate engineering activities across spacecraft, payload, and mission operations.

The role requires self-direction, strong communication to executive and customer leadership, and hands-on leadership of design, analysis, and execution activities to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in STEM with 12+ years of experience; Master’s with 10; PhD with 8.
• Active Top Secret clearance at time of application.
• Experience with spacecraft design, space missions, or space systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong communication with executive and customer leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead spacecraft and mission engineering teams across disciplines.
• Advise program manager and coordinate with customer stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across spacecraft, payload, GNC, software, comms, ground, and operations.
• Identify and resolve technical risks affecting capability, cost, or schedule.
• Support integration, test, readiness, launch prep, and on‑orbit activities.
• Develop and present engineering content at reviews and milestones.
• Brief senior leadership on major program decisions.
• Ensure engineering teams follow company processes and standards.
• Oversee integration of complex payloads and mentor junior staff.

Skills

Leadership

Systems Eng

Space Systems

Program Mgmt

Communication

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector seeks a qualified Chief Engineer to lead a Space Vehicle development program. You will direct a multi-disciplinary team, serve as primary technical advisor to the program manager, and coordinate engineering activities across spacecraft, payload, and mission operations.

The role requires self-direction, strong communication to executive and customer leadership, and hands-on leadership of design, analysis, and execution activities to ensure mission success.