Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is seeking a Systems Engineer – Level 3 to join our team in Gilbert, Arizona.
This position will support a spacecraft product line as a Vehicle Responsible Engineer (VRE) in Gilbert, AZ. The VRE reports to the LSE and Program Manager and helps support integration and test of a spacecraft. The VRE is a key member of a cross-disciplinary team driving technical execution culminating in the delivery of a fully mission capable spacecraft to our customers!
Job Responsibilities:
Support program technical execution in accordance with Northrop Grumman Systems Engineering processes and best practices
Provide direct Systems Engineering support to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient build-up and test of the assigned Space vehicles (SVs) and associated ground support equipment (GSE) throughout the Integration & Test (I&T) campaign
Help plan and execute testing strategies to exercise spacecraft functionality, measure performance, and verify survivability in the extreme launch and space environments (Dynamics, TVAC, and EMI/EMC)
Recognize and mitigate technical issues and risks
Play a key role in major program milestone and readiness reviews
Author and provide input to major program data products and other deliverables
Incorporate lessons learned to continue to strengthen the product line
Lead by example and be willing to mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise entry level staff
This position will nominally support 1st shift activities, however alternate shift and/or weekend work will be periodically required in support of major program milestones
Basic Qualifications:
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.
Experience in systems engineering to include architecture design, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, and/or test planning & execution
Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at the time of application and the ability to obtain and maintain SCI clearance
Self -starter with strong problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Active SCI access with a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) completed within 5 years OR an active clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) completed within 5 years.
Experience working on aircraft or spacecraft systems
Experience in system architecture, CONOPs, or model-based system engineering
Excellent communication Skills (upward and downward)
Experience with various technical tools such as CREO, Windchill, 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
Knowledge of Launch Vehicles, System Safety, System Reliability, Contamination Control, EMI, Space Environments (Radiation, Surface Charging, etc.), and Human Factors is also desired
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space.
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:
-Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
-401k
-Educational Assistance
-Life Insurance
-Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
-Paid Time Off
-Health & Wellness Resources
-Employee Discounts
-Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.
Primary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00The 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 a STEM discipline and 5 years engineering experience OR Master's in STEM and 3 years OR PhD in STEM and 1 year
- Experience in systems engineering including architecture design, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, and test planning & execution
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at time of application and ability to obtain and maintain SCI clearance
- Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills
- Willingness/ability to support alternate shifts and periodic weekend work for major milestones
- Active SCI access with SSBI within 5 years OR active clearance with SSBI completed within 5 years
- Experience working on aircraft or spacecraft systems
- Experience in system architecture, CONOPS, or model-based systems engineering
- Experience with tools such as CREO, Windchill, MATLAB, STK, CORE, DOORS, or CAMEO
- Experience in 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
- Knowledge of Launch Vehicles, System Safety, System Reliability, Contamination Control, EMI, Space Environments (Radiation, Surface Charging), and Human Factors
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.





