Sr. Pr. Ground Technical Lead Engineer TS/SCI Required (Space Systems)

The Sr. Principal Ground Technical Lead Engineer at Northrop Grumman is responsible for providing technical leadership on satellite ground software projects, ensuring alignment with project goals and industry best practices. Key duties include collaborating with product owners to prioritize features, interfacing with customers, overseeing software enhancements, and configuring ground segment software for operational, development, and test environments.

To qualify for the Sr. Principal Ground Technical Lead Engineer position at Northrop Grumman, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and have a minimum of 8 years of experience, or hold a Master’s degree with 6 years of experience. They should exhibit strong software development and systems engineering experience and possess a current DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Preferred qualifications for the Sr. Principal Ground Technical Lead Engineer role at Northrop Grumman include experience in developing satellite ground software, familiarity with tools such as JIRA and Confluence, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Experience in technical problem-solving and effective cross-organization collaboration is also desirable.

Northrop Grumman supports its Sr. Principal Ground Technical Lead Engineers through relocation assistance, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, savings plans, paid holidays, and generous PTO. Employees may also be eligible for bonuses that recognize individual contributions and company performance.

The work environment for a Sr. Principal Ground Technical Lead Engineer at Northrop Grumman is dynamic and fast-paced. Employees thrive in a culture that encourages innovation and intellectual curiosity, allowing for collaboration across teams. The role requires adaptability for occasional cross-coast meetings and emphasizes a problem-solving mindset in executing complex projects.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you contributed to or led ground software development tasks. Discuss the technologies used, your role in the team, and any challenges you overcame to deliver successful outcomes.

In your response, be prepared to discuss specific systems engineering methodologies like Agile or Waterfall. Illustrate how you have applied these methodologies in previous roles and their impact on project success.

Select a relevant example that showcases your problem-solving skills. Explain the context, the technical aspects of the problem, the steps you took to diagnose and address the issue, and the final outcome.

Discuss your approach to prioritization, such as using project management tools or techniques like Eisenhower Matrix. Highlight how you communicate with stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities while maintaining flexibility.

Explain how collaboration enhances project success. Share how you engage different teams, facilitate effective communication, and foster a positive team environment that encourages diverse ideas and perspectives.

Discuss your strategies for staying current, such as following industry blogs, participating in webinars, or attending conferences. Highlight relevant learning experiences that you have gained from these activities and how they've influenced your approach.

When answering, describe a specific instance where you mentored a colleague. Specify the goals of the mentorship, the support you provided, and any positive outcomes or improvements seen as a result.

List attributes such as strong communication skills, technical expertise, and adaptability. Elaborate on how each attribute contributes to a successful team dynamic and project execution.

Share examples of how you've interacted with customers, the importance of understanding their needs, and how you ensured that technical solutions met or exceeded their expectations.

Reflect on what attracted you to Northrop Grumman, such as its innovative projects and company culture. Articulate your enthusiasm for contributing to their mission and how your skills align with their needs.