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Principal / Sr Principal Vehicle Systems Engineer (TS/SCI Required)

Northrop Grumman.com

110k - 206k USD/year

Office

VADU01, United States

Full Time

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: SCITRAVEL: 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 Space Systems Sector seeks a qualified Vehicle Engineer to support a critical space mission. Vehicle Engineer responsibilities include both individual-contributor and leadership roles within a multi-disciplinary engineering and I&T team. This key position is product-oriented as well as process oriented: the VE is the common engineering thread through I&T and Launch processing and has responsibility for the safe and effective processing of the Space Segment. This position will support the Space Vehicles throughout I&T, Launch Site Operations, and ideally continue through early phases of on-orbit checkout.

Prior experience space systems design, development, manufacture, test or operations is required. Prior experience in systems engineering and integration at the spacecraft, bus or payload level, including hardware and/or software troubleshooting experience, is strongly desired.

The candidate will work with cross-discipline team members and must have good verbal and written communication skills, presentation experience and the ability to work with a diverse community of engineers and managers to achieve the goals of the program team.

Current TS/SCI is required, and program access is strongly preferred. This position requires being onsite in Dulles, VA and does not support remote work.

Responsibilities:

  • The VE provides direct Systems Engineering & technical responsibility for the integration & processing of SVs and the associated GSE.
  • The VE will report to the Space Segment Systems Engineering Lead, and the Space Segment PM as appropriate. The VEs will not communicate directly with Customer without LSE & PMO approval.
  • The VE's primary responsibility is to work with the I&T team to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient testing of the SV through SMF I&T and Launch Site Ops. The VE is responsible for understanding the SV configuration prior to and during each test event, and to ensure that the SV configuration is safe and appropriate for the planned testing.
  • Along with other members of the I&T team, the VE has the authority & responsibility to "hold" SV operations or events which he/she deems to be a potential risk to flight hardware or personnel (e.g., insufficient resources, procedure/change-control issues, GSE problems, facility factors, too many unknowns).
  • The VE will coordinate with the I&T Manager and the I&T Electrical, RF and Mechanical Engineering leads, and participate in the program I&T daily planning meetings. The VE is the designated "engineering parent" of the SV, and thus will have a major role in all decision-making related to SV processing in I&T.
  • The VE will coordinate with the Flight Assurance Lead and the LSE to support all SV NCRs (FRBs) and script DRs. The VE will support investigation, design / procedure / product review, failure isolation, trouble shooting and regression testing for all SV NCRs through the FRB process.
  • The VE will support shift work during SV I&T and launch site operations as required (the two VEs will coordinate with the LSE and the I&T Manager to ensure coverage). The nominal SV I&T schedule is 2 shifts and 3 shifts during SVTV. May be required to work 9/80 Fridays in order to maintain schedule. Weekend work should be expected during environmental testing and when the SVs are outside the program area.
  • The VE will develop, author and/or provide input to major program data products, customer briefings and other deliverables.
  • I&T schedule conflicts/changes will be managed by the PMO and I&T Manager, with input from both the LSE and the VEs. All I&T processing will be coordinated through program Security.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Principal Engineer - Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering or related technical field, and 3 years of applicable experience, or a master’s degree and 6 years of applicable experience.
  • Sr. Principal Engineer - Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering or related technical field, and 8 years of applicable experience, or a master’s degree and 6 years of applicable experience.
  • Experience in systems engineering and integration of complex systems, including space systems development, manufacture, test, or operations, including previous technical or project leadership positions.
  • Understanding of spacecraft detailed design, integration & test
  • Must be proactive. Works under only general direction. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions.
  • Ability to lead a diverse multi-discipline Engineering team.
  • Must have US Citizenship with current or active DoD TS/SCI Clearance at time of application
  • Understanding of spacecraft detailed design, integration & test
  • Must be proactive. Works under only general direction. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions.
  • Ability to lead a diverse multi-discipline Engineering team.
  • Must have US Citizenship with current or active DoD TS/SCI Clearance at time of application

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering or related technical field, Experience in space vehicle mission ConOps and on orbit operations.
  • Experience with Integration & Test, particularly with Class-B programs.
  • Experience on GeoStar-1 Space Vehicles.
  • Current Program Access.

#Novaspace

Primary Level Salary Range: $110,300.00 - $165,500.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $137,400.00 - $206,000.00The 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.

Principal / Sr Principal Vehicle Systems Engineer (TS/SCI Required)

Office

VADU01, United States

Full Time

110k - 206k USD/year

October 30, 2025

northropgrumman