The Payload and Ground Systems, a division within Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, redefining engineering capabilities, and driving advances in various sciences through cutting-edge technology.  Our team is chartered with providing the skills, and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking an Orbital Analyst (OA) to join our team supporting our FROST program.   This position will be based in Colorado Springs, Colorado at Schriever AFB.

The OA will be responsible for astrodynamics analytical support, system problem/anomaly resolution support, data trending, operational product updates, and performance analysis. The team also provides program expertise on engineering subsystems and maintains a baseline of operational products for a complex system. The candidate will have an active role in shaping the basis of how to execute planning and operations. The candidate should be a self-starter who has a passion for space and wants to be part of a team that shares that passion.

Job responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:     

• Perform orbit analysis, orbital determination, and analysis functions.

• Generate and provide daily orbital data to execute numerous satellite contacts.

• Generate and provide daily orbit data to external users.

• Perform orbital engineering tasks required to support launch operations including sensor coverage and telemetry collection planning using link margin analysis and other tools, predicting trajectory and estimating the final orbit.

• Participate in program-to-customer interface requirements definition to ensure program and customer mission success.

• Interface with external customers to maintain tracking station location, obscura, and Transmit Inhibit Zone data.

• Participate in testing efforts of newly upgraded tracking stations.

• Participate in customer education of basic astrodynamics.

• Support and perform future OA software and hardware upgrades leading to the automation of many of the OA functions supporting both daily OA activities and OA launch support activities.

• Providing rotating 24x7 on-call support to lead the resolution of system issues and anomalies. 

This position requires being onsite and does not support remote or hybrid work. 

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.

This requisition may be filled at either a level 2 or a level 3, depending on the candidate's experience as laid out in the basic qualifications detailed below as well as the interview assessment.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with an adjudicated Polygraph at time of application

• Must have a completed STEM degree [a degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics]

  • Level 2:

    • 2 Years of relevant experience with a completed Bachelor's (STEM)

    • 0 Years of relevant experience with a completed Masters's (STEM)

  • Level 3:

    • 5 Years of relevant experience with a completed Bachelor's (STEM)

    • 3 Years of relevant experience with a completed Masters's (STEM)

    • 0 Years of relevant experience with a completed Ph.D. (STEM)

• Must have above minimum experience on the below:

  • MATLAB

  • Multi-tasking including identifying and achieving multiple milestones spread across various calendars and schedules.

  • Creating and following standard processes and clearly document results.

• Must have the ability to work rotating on-call shifts and occasionally work odd/extended hours covering a 24/7 period

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with STK, ODTK, and other COTS products

• Experience in executing the project life cycle of requirements analysis, design, hardware and/or software development, integration, test, and sustainment.

• Background in one or more of the following technical disciplines: orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, modeling and simulation, and analysis

• Knowledge of communications (network and RF) topologies, including SGLS, K and X band design

• Knowledge and experience with satellite command & control theories and methodologies

To better support our employee’s work/life balance, most NG worksites support a 9/80 work schedule. The 9/80 schedule allows employees to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off.  This schedule or other work-hour flexibility options can be determined upon hire.

With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on Earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today. #definingpossible