Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Sr. Staff Systems Engineer Level 6 to join our team in Dulles, VA. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Responsibilities include both individual-contributor and leadership roles, within a multi-disciplined engineering team. Successful candidate will also be called upon to support other activities, including architecture studies, mission support, and traditional Systems Engineering functions. In this leadership level role, the Lead Systems Engineer is expected to be self-directed using previous experience to lead design, analysis and execution efforts. Candidates must be able to recognize and mitigate space segment technical issues and risks while operating within budget and on schedule.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Lead/Provide major support to the entire space segment technical team.
Lead and optimize space vehicle design, processing and mission success.
Troubleshoot and develop solutions to complex problems that the program may encounter.
Develop, author and/or provide input to major program data products and other deliverables.
Technical management of program elements
Plan and conduct of reviews and technical baseline
Write status and technical performance reviews and reports
Mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise junior staff
The candidate will work with cross-discipline team members and must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse community of engineers and managers to achieve the goals of the program 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 with 14 years of professional experience or Master’s degree with 12 years of professional experience or PhD with 10 years of professional experience
Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
Excellent written and oral communications skills and technical presentation experience
Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines
Must be proactive. Works under only general direction. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions
Ability to lead a diverse multi-discipline Engineering team
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Engineering
Experience in system architecture & CONOPs development
Experience in systems engineering and integration of complex systems, including space systems development, manufacture, test or operations, including previous technical or project leadership positions
Understanding of spacecraft detailed design, integration & test
This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
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Skills Required
- Active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
- Bachelor's degree with 14 years experience OR Master's degree with 12 years experience OR PhD with 10 years experience
- U.S. Citizenship
- 100% onsite work in Dulles, VA (no telecommute)
- Ability to lead a diverse multi-discipline engineering team and work under general direction
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and technical presentation experience
- Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in systems engineering
- Experience leading design, analysis, execution efforts and mitigating space segment technical issues and risks
- Master's Degree in Engineering
- Experience in system architecture and CONOPs development
- Experience in systems engineering and integration of complex systems, including space systems development, manufacture, test or operations
- Understanding of spacecraft detailed design, integration and test
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.
