2027 Associate Systems Engineer (AHT) - Dulles VA
- US citizenship
- TS/SCI clearance
How this pay compares
This posting states $76.2k–$114k a year. Open systems engineer jobs in Virginia post a median of $157k a year, the middle half $122k–$182k, across 58 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post.
About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI TRAVEL: 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.
This Systems Engineering position is an engineering support role withing Fault Management and System Autonomy in Eastern Engineering at Northrop Grumman Space Systems located in Dulles, VA. The job responsibilities will be as an individual-contributor within a multi-disciplinary engineering team.
Successful candidate will perform traditional Systems Engineering functions, including requirements synthesis and flow-down, verification/validation planning, system trades study support, systems analysis, coordination of design efforts, and management of technical budgets & interface definitions. The application of these systems engineering principles will be in the context of fault management and system autonomy.
The candidate must be able to assist in the formulation of system design, definition of concept of operations, and systems analysis for failure mode and effects. The candidate will be responsible for identification of these modes and mitigation through autonomous or operational controls. Responsibilities will also include interaction with program, functional and customer leadership.
The candidate must be knowledgeable in aerospace systems, spacecraft subsystems design, or mission operations. Position will also include responsibilities relating to integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft.
The engineer will develop original ideas, elaborate on preliminary design concepts, evaluate completed designs with their program/functional supervisors and other technical groups, and make the necessary design modifications to achieve the best design within the program constraints.
The candidate may also develop and coordinate the conduct of test programs required to evaluate design work. ## Responsibilities/Duties - Perform traditional Systems Engineering functions, including requirements synthesis and flow-down, verification/validation planning, system trades study support, systems analysis, coordination of design efforts, and management of technical budgets & interface definitions withing the Fault Management domain. - Designing, implementing, and validating Fault Management and System Autonomy Flight Software using flight-like simulations and flight hardware. - Must be knowledgeable in spacecraft subsystem design, spacecraft testing, flight software best practices, and mission operations. - 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. - Presentation skills and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to either technical or nontechnical audiences is required. - Support and deliver SE Products and other deliverables, with a focus on mission success - Write status and technical performance reviews, analyses and reports ## Basic Qualifications - Bachelors of Science degree in technical field and 2+ years of experience, or Masters of Science degree in technical field - Active TS/SCI security clearance requires at time of application - Experience in Systems Engineering for mission critical applications - Mission and/or vehicle systems engineering experience - Software coding or scripting experience ## Preferred Qualifications - Failure analysis or fault management technical experience - Experience with Systems Engineering process - Experience defining requirements & interfaces - Understanding of spacecraft integration & test, launch, and mission operations - Experience with human spaceflight vehicle development including integration & test - Experience developing verification documentation - Experience with architecture development - Familiarity with electrical & computer systems - Familiarity with command and telemetry database - Strong Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Python, & Matlab scripting skills Salary Associate Electrical Engineer - Dulles, VA $76,200 - $114,400 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.
From Northrop Grumman's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Northrop Grumman
Satellites, space telescopes, cargo spacecraft and rocket boosters, inside a defense prime.
Pay on its listings: 98% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Northrop Grumman's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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