Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is seeking a Systems Engineer – Level 3 and Level 4 to join our team in either Gilbert, Arizona or Dulles, VA.
Spacecraft Payload Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft Payload Engineer, you will have unique opportunities to witness and take part in the entire engineering lifecycle culminating in the on-orbit delivery of fully mission capable space vehicles to our customers! Come join our team and help us keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
This Systems Engineer Level 3 and Level 4 position are for an individual contributor within a multi-disciplinary engineering team. The specific responsibilities of this position will be to manage the technical and functional interfaces of one or more hosted payload(s) to a spacecraft bus. Work products include the development of payload port-specific interface control documents (ICDs), managing giver-receiver materials, review and approval of bus accommodation documents, development of functional and performance test scripts, and identification of mechanical, electrical, and environmental constraints and requirements. Analysis roles include supporting science, experiment, and mission planning for the payload and evaluating mission performance and orbital operations.
Job Responsibilities:
Leverage your technical and leadership skills to help bring payload and platform Interfaces together to produce a spacecraft meeting contractual and mission requirements
Develop payload specific Interface control documents governing all mechanical, electrical, and functional interfaces to the host space vehicle
Recognize and mitigate payload related technical issues and risks
Play a key role in major program milestone and readiness reviews
Working with our customers, aid in the development of operational mission scenarios and payload concepts of operations
Support the planning, design, and execution of testing strategies to exercise payload functionality, measure performance, and verify survivability in the extreme launch and space environments
Provide on-floor support of integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft and payloads.
Directly support the Launch and On-orbit operations campaign for your designated mission at the launch site and Mission Operations Center
Lead by example and be willing to mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise junior staff
Basic Qualifications:
Systems Engineer Level - 3 -Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of engineering experience or Masters degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of engineering experience or PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of engineering experience.
Systems Engineer Level - 4 - Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of engineering experience or Masters degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of engineering experience or PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of engineering experience.
Have a strong background in systems engineering to include architectural studies, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, test planning & execution, or operational support
Self-starter with strong technical problem-solving skills, an aptitude for understanding system and subsystem interactions and initiative to drive product development to closure
Prior experience in technical or project leadership positions
Must have active or current U.S. Government Top Secret Security Clearance and Ability to obtain TS/SCI Clearance at time of application.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret Security clearance with SCI/SSBI at time of application.
Experience in space systems, spacecraft design, payloads or mission operations
Experience in system architecture, CONOPs development, or model-based system engineering
Experience with various technical tools such as MATLAB, STK, CORE, DOORS, or CAMEO
Experience in any of the following areas is also desired: orbital mechanics, orbital debris modeling, spacecraft attitude control, power systems and modeling, avionics or digital electronics design, risk analysis, optics, communications, rocket propulsion, thermal engineering, or spacecraft integration and testing
Experience with Mission Operations for spacecraft
Knowledge of Launch Vehicles, System Safety, System Reliability, Contamination Control, EMI, Space Environments (Radiation, Surface Charging, etc.), and Human Factors is also desired.
Experience and/or training in Earned Value Management Systems
Skills Required
- Systems Engineer Level 3: Bachelor's in STEM +5 years (or Master's +3, PhD +1)
- Systems Engineer Level 4: Bachelor's in STEM +8 years (or Master's +6, PhD +4)
- Strong background in systems engineering (requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, test planning/execution)
- Prior technical or project leadership experience
- Self-starter with strong technical problem-solving skills and initiative to drive product development to closure
- Active or current U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application
- Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance
- U.S. Citizenship required for positions with government clearance
- Willingness/ability to travel ~10% (launch and mission operations support)
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret Security clearance with SCI/SSBI at time of application
- Experience with MATLAB, STK, CORE, DOORS, or CAMEO
- Experience in space systems, spacecraft design, payloads, mission operations, or CONOPS/model-based systems engineering
- Experience in orbital mechanics, attitude control, power systems modeling, avionics, optics, communications, thermal engineering, propulsion, or integration and testing
- Experience and/or training in Earned Value Management Systems (EVM)
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.








