Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU) has an exciting career opportunity for a Mod Sim Systems Engineer / Mission Support Threat Engineer - Level 2 or 3 - to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The job location is at Schriever Space Force Base (SSFB), Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Position Overview:
Threat Systems Engineering (TSE) is responsible for the development and delivery of high-fidelity threat modeling products in support of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and MDA’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). TSE is responsible for the development of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) used to simulate element models of MDA’s BMDS, including kinematic missile modeling, IR signature modeling, data production/analysis activities, and maintenance/sustainment activities for the entire TSE software baseline. TSE is a cornerstone element to the Threat and Advanced Simulations Development (TASD) contract.
The Mod Sim Systems Engineer/Mission Support Threat Engineer role serves as a missile threats specialist, threats model requirements developer, and a verifier and validator of threat representations across the kinematic, RF, and IR signatures domains. This Systems Engineering specialized position will be responsible for capturing and documenting requirements as they pertain to the development of Missiles’ kinematic, RF, and IR signatures models.
The Mod Sim Systems Engineer/Mission Support Threat Engineer will be involved in direct discussions and collaborations with our customers, threat stakeholders, intelligence analysts, and fellow engineers to best capture the requirements for developing and delivering accurate and relevant threat models. Will work with little to no direct supervision, work as an integral member of a product delivery team and meet time-critical delivery schedules. This position will be located on-site at Schriever Space Force Base, in Colorado Springs, CO.
This role requires candidates to be on-site daily with no option for remote/hybrid work.
Essential Functions:
- Gain experience with threat model phenomenology with focus on components of missile systems trajectories and signatures.
- Research into RCS and IR signature model development requirements.
- Understand stakeholders’ requirements and ensure quality production of deliverables.
- Actively work with the team to ensure automation and tools improvements are coordinated – aiming to attain utmost efficiency and meet Leadership objectives.
- Work on defined schedule to timely support MDA Ground Test Modeling and Simulation events.
- Work in close coordination with Missile Modeling Engineers and Production Engineers to ensure model requirements are met and Verification and Validation (V&V) confirm models’ accuracy and reliability.
Seeking candidates who find satisfaction in working on challenging and diverse assignments in collaborative settings across all levels.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
This requisition may be filled as either a Mod Sim Systems Engineer – Level 2 or Mod Sim Systems Engineer Level 3.
Basic Qualifications for a Mod Sim Systems Engineer (Level 2):
- Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 2 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 0–2 years of related work experience
- Experience with Model Base Systems Engineering (MBSE); ideally with CAMEO or similar tool experience
- Familiarity with the systems engineering process, including the Systems Engineering “V”
- Experience with requirements traceability
- Modeling, simulation, and automation experience
- Familiarity with flight characteristics, motion, and performance of missile systems
- Familiarity in the domain of RCS and IR signature modeling practices
- Familiarity with hard body heating of objects and their corresponding signatures representation
- Must be self-motivated and able to work in a dynamic team environment
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business needs
- Applicants must have a current, active, in-scope U.S. Government issued Secret Clearance at the time of application, which is required to start; with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to SCI
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Mod Sim Systems Engineer (level 3):
- Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree in STEM and 3 years of related work experience, or a PhD in STEM with 1 year of related work experience
- Practical experience with Model Base Systems Engineering (MBSE); ideally with CAMEO or similar tool experience
- Knowledge and experience with the systems engineering process, including the Systems Engineering “V”
- Experience with requirements development and traceability
- Modeling, simulation, and automation experience
- Previous experience modeling and simulating signature profiles and responses in the IR signature and RCS domains
- Experience with flight characteristics, motion, and performance of missile systems
- Familiarity with hard body heating of objects and their corresponding signatures representation
- Must be self-motivated and able to work in a dynamic team environment
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business needs
- Applicants must have a current, active, in-scope U.S. Government issued Secret Clearance at the time of application, which is required to start; with ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to SCI
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong CAMEO or similar tool experience
- Strong systems engineering background
- Strong background with missile system models, atmospheric dynamics, and performance
- Mastery of engineering modeling principles behind body motion, trajectory analysis, counter measures, debris, and signature modeling
- Familiarity with Optical Signatures Code (OSC)
- Strong knowledge of the flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and performance of missiles
- Practical experience with MBSE theory and tools
- Experience in Agile software development methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban
- A current, active, in-scope Top Secret Clearance with access to SCI (TS/SCI)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM (or Master's/PhD with equivalent experience); Level 2: ~2 years related experience; Level 3: ~5 years related experience
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Experience with CAMEO or similar MBSE tools
- Familiarity with systems engineering process, including the Systems Engineering 'V'
- Experience with requirements development and traceability
- Modeling, simulation, and automation experience
- Experience modeling/simulating IR signature and RCS domains (or strong familiarity)
- Familiarity with flight characteristics, motion, and performance of missile systems
- Familiarity with hard body heating and corresponding signature representation
- Current, active, in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance at time of application and ability to obtain/maintain Top Secret/SCI
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10%
- On-site daily presence at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs (no remote/hybrid)
- Familiarity or experience with Optical Signatures Code (OSC)
- Experience with Agile software development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)
- Mastery of engineering modeling principles for body motion, trajectory analysis, countermeasures, debris, and signature modeling
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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