Staff Systems Engineer – Space Superiority Missions

0909 SP - Orbital Space Systems; United States; On-site; USD 177,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Dulles, Virginia seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to apply systems engineering across the full mission lifecycle, from concept to on‑orbit execution. The role focuses on resilient spacecraft and mission systems for space security missions, including RPO challenges and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

Prior space experience is not required, but demonstrated ability to design, integrate, test, or operate complex systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 12 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s Degree and 10 years of applicable experience, or a PhD and 8 years of applicable experience.
• Experience applying systems engineering principles to design, development, integration, test, or operation of complex aerospace or defense systems.
• Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines to resolve technical issues and develop integrated system solutions.
• Experience performing core systems-engineering functions: requirements development/management, interface definition/control, system architecture, mission analysis, mission operations, trade studies, or V&V.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Support major program milestones and readiness reviews with clear, stakeholder-friendly presentations.
• Author and contribute to program data products and engineering artifacts.
• Collaborate with mission partners to mature systems for successful mission execution.
• Support development or modification of spacecraft to enable accelerated concept-to-launch paths.
• Develop understanding of spacecraft operations and mission reference scenarios, especially RPO in contested space.

Skills

Systems engineering

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Requirements management

Technical trade studies

Mission analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree

PhD

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available. CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes. CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret. TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time.

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 in Dulles, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join the rapidly growing Space Superiority Division. Space is no longer a sanctuary— it is increasingly contested and operationally complex, and the need for resilient, responsive spacecraft and mission capabilities has never been greater. This is a chance to work on some of the most consequential technical challenges in the space domain and to see your work fly. You’ll join a cross-disciplinary team that develops, integrates, tests, and delivers advanced spacecraft and mission systems for space security missions, while building expertise in and contributing to Northrop Grumman’s rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) capabilities. RPO is routine work for this team, backed by hands‑on operational experience and a proven on‑orbit track record. Northrop Grumman leads the industry in this capability, and joining this team means working alongside the people who helped make that true. As a Systems Engineer, you'll apply systems engineering principles across the full mission lifecycle, from early concept development and analysis through integration, test, launch, and on‑orbit mission execution. Prior space experience is not required, but demonstrated experience developing, integrating, testing, or operating complex technical systems is essential. Some of our strongest engineers came from naval systems, aircraft, missiles, electronics, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and other engineering fields. If you know how to make complex systems work and you want to apply those skills to one of the most important and fastest growing areas of national security, we want to hear from you.

Primary responsibilities

• Supporting major program milestones and readiness reviews by developing technical content and translating complex information into clear presentations for key stakeholders.
• Authoring and contributing to program data products, systems engineering artifacts, and other critical deliverables.
• Collaborating with mission partners to develop and mature the system with a focus on successful mission execution.
• Supporting the development of new spacecraft or modification of existing spacecraft to enable an accelerated path from concept to launch.
• Developing and applying an understanding of spacecraft operations and design reference missions, particularly missions involving RPO in a contested space domain.
• Developing analysis and modeling tools to evaluate mission concepts and spacecraft performance.
• Managing requirements, including decomposing mission-level objectives into system and subsystem requirements and maintaining traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Managing internal and external interfaces, particularly payloads, host vehicles, and RPO sensor suites.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 12 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s Degree and 10 years of applicable experience, or a PhD and 8 years of applicable experience.
• Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering principles to the design, development, integration, test, or operation of complex aerospace, defense, or similarly complex technical systems.
• Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines to resolve technical issues and develop integrated system solutions.
• Demonstrated experience performing one or more core systems-engineering functions, such as requirements development and management, interface definition and control, system architecture, mission analysis, mission operations, technical trade studies, or system verification and validation.
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at time of application.

Preferred Qualifications

• An active or current TS/SCI Clearance.
• Experience supporting the design, development, integration, test, or operation of spacecraft or related systems.
• Experience with system architecture and concept of operations (CONOP) development.
• Experience developing technical briefings and communicating complex engineering information to senior technical, program, customer, or executive stakeholders.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
• Technical experience in one or more of the following areas: orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, or mission design; spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control; relative navigation, sensor fusion, or RPO sensing; spacecraft autonomy and fault management; mission operations, spacecraft operations, or ground systems; avionics, payloads, or digital electronics; RF communications or link analysis; spacecraft integration and test; launch and on‑orbit operations; or other technical disciplines applicable to complex space missions.

Salary and Benefits

• Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00. 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.