Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Senior Principal Mission Architect Engineer located in Colorado Springs, CO, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Your mission, should you choose to accept:
- Drive and develop On-Orbit Test activities including mission planning, scenario development, dry-run/rehearsal and test execution.
- Perform pre-test and execution actions including mission plan creation & review, safety of flight analysis, and vehicle phasing analysis
- Integrate closely with vendors, cognizant engineers, subject matter experts, orbital analysists, and systems engineers to ensure overall test plan is realistic, achievable, and meets customer intent.
- Conduct analysis on test feasibility while considering limits, constraints, estimated fuel usage, vehicle capabilities – while also incorporating overall test community objectives
- Lead on-console operations during On-Orbit Test activities as Test Director
- Lead testing using simulators and assist in resolving any discrepancies
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other STEM related degree with 8 years of experience in a related engineering field such as mechanical, electrical, aerospace and/or operations; 6 years with a Master's; 4 years with a PhD
Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
Relevant experience with mission planning and/or orbital analyst responsibilities and/or processes focusing on RPO
Familiarity with running physics-based simulations and post-processing results
Experience in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics. Knowledge of fundamental numerical propagators and force models for earth-orbiting space vehicles, preferably for vehicles in geosynchronous orbit
Advanced understanding of relative motion problems and mission planning for RPO missions
Experience with navigation filters and image processing techniques algorithms
Knowledge of satellite operations engineering disciplines to include attitude control, power management, thermal control, propulsion, command and data handling, flight and ground software, and anomaly determination and resolution
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in Python and/or MATLAB. C or C++ would be preferred
- Have a comprehension of different astrodynamics coordinate frames such as ECI and RIC
- Background/fundamental understanding of performing statistical analysis
- Previous experience supporting mission simulation, scripting, and verification activities.
- Previous experience with troubleshooting, anomaly resolution and performing analysis on operational systems
- Familiarity using COTS astrodynamics analysis tools (FreeFlyer preferred)
- Familiarity with GNC algorithms for satellites
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Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM with 8 years of related engineering experience, or a master’s degree with 6 years, or a PhD with 4 years
- Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance at time of application
- Relevant mission planning, orbital analysis, or RPO-related experience
- Experience running physics-based simulations and post-processing results
- Experience in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics, including numerical propagators and force models
- Advanced understanding of relative motion problems and RPO mission planning
- Experience with navigation filters and image processing algorithms
- Knowledge of satellite operations engineering disciplines, including attitude control, power, thermal, propulsion, command and data handling, software, and anomaly resolution
- Experience with Python and/or MATLAB
- Experience with C or C++
- Understanding of astrodynamics coordinate frames such as ECI and RIC
- Fundamental understanding of statistical analysis
- Experience supporting mission simulation, scripting, and verification activities
- Experience troubleshooting, resolving anomalies, and analyzing operational systems
- Familiarity with commercial astrodynamics analysis tools, preferably FreeFlyer
- Familiarity with satellite GNC algorithms
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
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







