Mission Operations Development Lead – TS/SCI (Space/Satellite Systems)

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.

Mission Operations Lead Engineer – (Staff Systems Engineer)

Job Summary

Provide mission operations technical leadership for a National Security Space (NSS) mission for a government customer.  Work with systems engineers to develop operational documentation for use during on-orbit checkout and testing of satellites.  Lead the creation of executable scripts and associated procedures, handbooks and ops documentation.  Conduct testing using simulators and resolve discrepancies.  Support system development activities such as requirements management, architecture development, integration and test and formal program milestones.  Interface with program and customer personnel.   Manage a team of engineers and operations in accomplishing Mission Operations and Ground Segment Development tasks.

Act as Flight Director and/or Flight Controller during mission rehearsals and on orbit check out.  Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of spacecraft systems and space vehicle operations.  Monitor vehicle state of health across all subsystems.  Perform short and long-term telemetry trending.  Track space vehicle configuration, to include both hardware, software, and configurable item parameters.  Has the ability to lead anomaly resolution efforts.  Make modifications to existing operations procedures to incorporate lessons learned from in-flight performance.  Develop new procedures as required.  Mentor newer members of the flight operations team.  Verify spacecraft commands before they are sent to the vehicle.  Occasional shift work required; travel (~10%) may be required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related STEM field
• 14+ years of related experience
• Active or current Top Secret clearance.
• SSBI elig
• U.S. citizen
• Experience in planning & execution of real-time spacecraft commissioning activities for commercial, NASA and/or DoD space missions
• Hands on experience commanding satellites and/or developing real-time executable mission plans
• Thorough understanding of space system components and spacecraft subsystems
• Integration and test of new ground components into existing infrastructures
• Familiarity with Mission Operations Centers architectures and interfaces
• Detailed familiarity with space system operational and technical documentation
• Ability to manage technical tasks of a small team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Development and testing of real-time executable mission operations procedures and executable scripts
• Managing cost and schedule; Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience a plus
• Experience with Earned Value Management System (EVMS) or similar cost/schedule management systems
• Performing data flow testing including ground stations & Mission Operations Centers
• Space system simulator and test bed operations
• Space system engineering activities such as requirements management, I&T, architecture, software development of flight/ground software

Salary Range: $146,000 USD - $209,000 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.