Principal Systems Engineer/Senior Principal Systems Engineer
Join the Tactical Space Systems Division in a challenging and rewarding role as a Principal Systems Engineer/Senior Principal Systems Engineer located in Gilbert, Arizona. Spacecraft Payload Engineers are key members of a cross-disciplinary team helping drive the design, development, integration & test, launch, and on-orbit operations of space vehicles. As a Spacecraft Payload Engineer, you will have unique opportunities to witness and take part in the entire engineering lifecycle culminating in the on-orbit delivery of fully mission capable space vehicles to our customers! Come join our team and help us keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
This Principal Systems Engineer/Senior Principal Systems Engineer position is for an individual contributor within a multi-disciplinary engineering team. The specific responsibilities of this position will be to manage the technical and functional interfaces of one or more hosted payload(s) to a spacecraft bus. Work products include the development of payload port-specific interface control documents (ICDs), managing giver-receiver materials, review and approval of bus accommodation documents, development of functional and performance test scripts, and identification of mechanical, electrical, and environmental constraints and requirements. Analysis roles include supporting science, experiment, and mission planning for the payload and evaluating mission performance and orbital operations.
Job Responsibilities:
- Perform technical planning and analyses at all levels of total system product to include concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operations, maintenance, and disposal
- Develop system and subsystem architectures(s), system physical views including system elements (blocks) and critical interfaces (internal and external)
- Generate both original and revised specification/interface definition documents
- Produce requirements and manage changes using established Northrop Grumman guidelines and database tools
- Leads and prepares trade studies, system sensitivity studies, design optimization studies, system performance assessments, CONOPS development, and mission analysis/planning
- Support proposal writing, project planning and cost estimation efforts
- Play a key role in major program milestone and readiness reviews
- Help support critical test campaigns designed to exercise spacecraft & payload functionality, measure performance, and verify survivability in the extreme launch and space environments
- Provide on-floor support of integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft and payloads. This includes working with the I&T team to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient testing of the spacecraft, reviewing test data logs, and supporting Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) troubleshooting and regression testing, Failure Review Boards (FRBs), and test script changes.
- Incorporate lessons learned to continue to strengthen the product line
- Lead by example and be willing to mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise teammates
This position can be filled as a T3 or a T4 based on the qualifications below:
Basic Qualifications:
- Systems Engineer 3 - BS Engineering degree and 5+ years of experience or master's degree at 3+ years of experience
- Systems Engineer 4 - BS Engineering degree and 8+ years of experience or master's degree and 6+ years of experience.
- Self-starter with strong technical problem-solving skills, an aptitude for understanding system and subsystem interactions and initiative to drive product development to closure
- Experience in systems engineering to include architectural studies, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, and test planning & execution
- Experience in space systems, spacecraft design, or mission operations
- Must have active or current Top Secret U.S. Government Security Clearance at time of application with ability to obtain TS/SCI Clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in engineering, physics, or computer science
- Experience working on spacecraft or aircraft systems or payloads
- Experience in system architecture, CONOPs development, or model-based system engineering
- Experience with various technical tools such as MATLAB, STK, CORE, DOORS, or CAMEO
- Experience in any of the following areas is also desired: orbital mechanics, orbital debris modeling, spacecraft attitude control, power systems and modeling, avionics or digital electronics design, risk analysis, optics, communications, rocket propulsion, thermal engineering, or spacecraft integration and testing
- Experience with Mission Operations for spacecraft
- Knowledge of Launch Vehicles, System Safety, System Reliability, Contamination Control, EMI, Space Environments (Radiation, Surface Charging, etc.), and Human Factors