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Principal Engineer Mission Architect

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Principal Mission Architect Engineer –  << Level >> to join our team in Colorado Springs, CO. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

In this job, you will:

  • Support On-Orbit Test activities including mission planning, scenario development, dry-run/rehearsal and test execution.
  • Work 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.
  • Support/lead analysis on test feasibility while considering limits, constraints, estimated fuel usage, vehicle capabilities – while also incorporating overall test community objectives
  • Support on-console operations during On-Orbit Test activities as either Test Director, Test Specialist, or other necessary position
  • Conduct testing using simulators and assist in resolving any discrepancies
  • Support planning and execution of various stakeholder meetings including test plan working groups, review boards, readiness reviews, and technical exchange meetings.
  • Work CDRL development/review for test plans, test procedures, and test reports

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 5 years of professional experience in STEM field or mechanical, electrical, aerospace or operations – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience
  • Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access
  • Must have experience running physics-based simulations and post-processing results
  • Strong background in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.  Knowledge of fundamental numerical propagators and force models for earth-orbiting space vehicles
  • Understanding of relative motion problems and mission planning for RPO missions
  • Experience using COTS astrodynamics analysis tools (FreeFlyer preferred)
  • Familiarity with GNC algorithms for satellites
  • Understanding of navigation filters and image processing techniques/algorithms
  • Knowledge and experience in 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
  • Ability to troubleshoot and correct problems in a dynamic environment
  • Have firm knowledge/previous experience with rendezvous and proximity operations, reference frames, orbital/advanced orbital mechanics, astrodynamics in order to perform mission/test planning with limited oversight
  • ​Experience writing technical documents for external customers

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proficient in Python and/or MATLAB.  C or C++ would be preferred
  • Prior aerospace-related work experience for a U.S Government Agency or Contractor
  • Have an extensive 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

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

The 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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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