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Principal Systems Engineer - Civil Space Systems

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

This Systems Engineering position is for a Human Spaceflight Principal Systems Engineer (T03) on a Civil and Space Systems (CSS) program at Northrop Grumman located in Gilbert, AZ and Sterling, VA. In this role, the Systems Engineer will perform duties contributing to space vehicle systems engineering test activities.  The job responsibilities will be as an individual-contributor and deliverable/product lead within a multi-disciplinary engineering team.  

Successful candidate will perform traditional Systems Engineering functions, including support of verification/validation planning, support of subsystem test planning, development of system test plans, management and review of system test designs, development of system/subsystem test trades, support of system level testing in a production environment including environmental testing and supporting closure of test program verification notices.  Responsibilities will also include interaction with program, functional and customer leadership.

The candidate must be knowledgeable in space systems, spacecraft subsystems design, or mission operations.  Position will also include responsibilities relating to integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft and payloads.  Candidate may be called on to assist in new business activities, such as conceptual design and analysis for proposals and funded studies and may include authoring sections for both.

Duties:

  • Perform test planning and support test execution for one or more moderately complex (or portions of complex) components, subsystems, and/or functional systems. 

  • Audit verification criteria for component, subsystem, and/or functional systems tests.

  • Development of system level test plan to align required system level verification activities as defined in the Systems Requirements Document 

  • Development of joint test plans with the customer (NASA) and their associated partner organizations (European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, etc.) for verification of interfaces with government furnished elements 

  • Coordinate/oversee subsystem level test plan development (led by the subsystem area) to ensure subsystem level testing is properly accounted for/incorporated at the system level 

  • Work with Integration & Test (I&T), engineering, and mission operations to design / develop test procedures/scripts for vehicle testing 

  • Develop and manage the space vehicle Test Like You Fly (TLYF) exceptions and mitigations

  • Support review of component level test documentation

  • Support appropriate components/subsystem/system level Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and post-test  reviews

  • Provide SE support to I&T for duration of vehicle test campaign including FRB/MRB support, data reviews and test report generation

  • Troubleshoot and develop solutions to challenging Engineering problems

  • Support Systems Test Cost Account Manager in maintaining baseline cost and schedule plans including EVMS

#AZSPACE

#NOVASPACE

Basic Qualifications:

  • B.S. in STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math or related + 5 years of experience, or Masters of Science degree in technical field + 3 years of experience

  • Experience with all phases of system development life cycle from product requirements definition to product launch

  • Experience leading and/or developing system level test plans / test requirements documents

  • Experience in design and development of Spacecraft Test and Operational Language (STOL) scripts

  • Experience leading and/or supporting the conduct of test programs

  • Experience in supporting failure review board investigations and development of corrective actions

  • Experience in supporting development of Test Like You Fly exceptions and mitigations

  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams including internal and customer stakeholders in the review and adjudication of issues associated with test plans, test procedures, test report deliverables

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

  • M.S. in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math or related area.

  • Experience in: avionics or digital electronics design, power systems design, telecommunications design, thermal design, and/or ECLSS design

  • Experience with payload integration

  • Understanding of spacecraft integration & test, launch, and mission operations

  • Familiarity with Command and Telemetry database content

  • Experience with human spaceflight vehicle development including integration & test

  • Desired experience includes Requirements Management Tools such as DOORS, various analysis engineering tools such as MATLAB, and collaborative applications such as Confluence. 

  • Experience supporting compilation and organization of verification evidence documentation for verification closures with delivery to customer.

  • Actual spacecraft operations and related ground systems expertise is always a plus. 

  • Test experience in one or more of the following areas:  Active thermal control systems (fluid pumps) integrated with environmental control systems (heat exchangers); Life Support Systems; Fault tolerant/multi string computing and power architectures; Systems requiring crew

Salary Range: $95,300.00 - $142,900.00

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.

Average salary estimate

$119100 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$95300K
$142900K

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What You Should Know About Principal Systems Engineer - Civil Space Systems, ngc

Join Northrop Grumman as a Principal Systems Engineer in the dynamic realm of Civil Space Systems! Located in Gilbert, Arizona, this role offers an exciting opportunity to work with a trailblazer in the aerospace industry, leading the charge in human spaceflight and innovative technology. As a vital contributor to our engineering team, you'll be involved in everything from verifying and validating systems to crafting comprehensive test plans tailored to our spacecraft subsystems. Your expertise will ensure that we meet stringent testing protocols together with esteemed partners like NASA and the European Space Agency. With responsibilities that range from planning and executing tests to addressing complex engineering problems, every day promises new challenges and rewards. You'll be integral in the integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft that will push the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration. We're looking for visionary thinkers who have experience in system development life cycles and a passion for advancing our mission. If you possess a B.S. in a STEM field and have extensive experience in systems engineering, we want you to be a part of our mission to make history. Your journey with Northrop Grumman will not only contribute to our proud legacy but also pave the way for future advancements in space systems. We provide a supportive environment rich with intellectual curiosity and an innovative spirit, so you can bring your whole self to work. Let’s invent the future together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal Systems Engineer - Civil Space Systems Role at ngc
What are the main responsibilities of the Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?

The Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman focuses on space vehicle systems engineering, contributing to test activities, developing test plans, and overseeing verification and validation processes. The role involves collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams and supporting interactions with program leadership and customers.

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What qualifications are necessary for the Principal Systems Engineer role at Northrop Grumman?

Candidates for the Principal Systems Engineer position at Northrop Grumman should hold a B.S. in a STEM field, along with 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 3 years of experience. Additionally, experience with system development life cycles and test planning is essential.

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What experience is preferred for applicants of the Principal Systems Engineer position at Northrop Grumman?

Preferred qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer include an M.S. in a STEM discipline, experience in avionics or power systems design, familiarity with spacecraft integration, and knowledge of Command and Telemetry databases. Hands-on experience in human spaceflight vehicle development is also beneficial.

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Does the Principal Systems Engineer position at Northrop Grumman require travel?

Yes, the Principal Systems Engineer position at Northrop Grumman involves approximately 25% travel, allowing for collaboration with various stakeholders and customers in the aerospace sector, including agencies like NASA.

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What does the career advancement look like for a Principal Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?

At Northrop Grumman, career advancement for a Principal Systems Engineer includes opportunities to lead multi-disciplined teams, engage in innovative projects, and participate in high-level decision-making processes, enabling growth within the organization while contributing to pioneering advancements in space technologies.

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Common Interview Questions for Principal Systems Engineer - Civil Space Systems
Can you describe your experience with spacecraft testing as a Principal Systems Engineer?

When answering this question, provide specific examples of your involvement in testing spacecraft components or systems. Describe the test plans you've developed and how your role contributed to successful testing outcomes, emphasizing any collaboration with teams or customers.

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What methodologies do you use for system verification and validation?

Be prepared to discuss methodologies such as the V-Model or Agile approaches. Explain how you’ve applied these methodologies in past projects, focusing on how they ensured thorough verification and validation of system requirements.

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How do you handle challenges during test execution?

Highlight your problem-solving skills by discussing a specific instance where you encountered a challenge during testing. Explain your approach to resolving the issue and how you ensured the testing objectives were still met, showcasing your ability to adapt and innovate.

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What tools or software do you use for test planning and documentation?

Mention tools you are familiar with, such as DOORS for requirements management or MATLAB for analysis. Discuss your experience using these tools effectively in test planning or documentation processes to enhance clarity and efficiency.

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Can you explain your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams during a project?

Provide examples of specific projects where you've led teams comprising different engineering disciplines. Discuss your leadership style and how you facilitated collaboration and communication among team members to reach project goals.

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How do you ensure alignment with NASA and international space agencies in your role?

Explain your approach to stakeholder engagement and how you ensure that project goals align with the expectations of partners like NASA and other space agencies. Discuss your experience in developing joint test plans and managing any associated interfaces.

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What strategies do you employ to manage project schedules and cost baselines?

Discuss your experience with earned value management systems (EVMS) and your methodology for monitoring project schedules and costs. Provide specific examples of how you kept projects within budget while meeting timelines.

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Describe a successful project you worked on in the aerospace sector.

Share a detailed account of a project you were involved in, outlining your role, the challenges faced, and the successful outcomes. Highlight how your contributions were integral to project success, making sure to focus on relevant skills and experiences.

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How do you keep current with advancements in aerospace technology?

Reflect on the methods you utilize to stay updated, such as attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, or following relevant publications. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and how this informs your work as a Principal Systems Engineer.

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What is your approach to troubleshooting in complex systems engineering environments?

Demonstrate your analytical and critical thinking skills by discussing your systematic approach to troubleshooting. Use examples to show how you identify root causes and develop actionable solutions to complex engineering issues.

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DATE POSTED
April 6, 2025

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