Satellite Systems Engineer-Spacecraft Operations (Level 4)
- Relocation assistance
- US citizenship
- Top Secret clearance
- Secret clearance
- Security+
Open in 2 locations
Northrop Grumman posts this job separately for each location. Apply to the one where you can work: the team, schedule and pay can differ between locations.
Alabama
1 open- $135,800–$203,600/yr
Huntsville, AL (opens on this page)
Full time · Posted 1d ago
North Dakota
1 open- $122,800–$184,200/yr
Grand Forks, ND (opens on this page)
Full time · Posted 1d ago
About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
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.
Northrop Grumman's Space Sector is seeking a Satellite Systems Engineer-Spacecraft Operations (Level 4) to join our team. This position is located in Huntsville, AL. You must be able to travel to Redondo Beach, CA, for training for a minimum of 2 months, if necessary.
*Please be aware that this position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding and obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.
What you’ll get to do
- Responsible for the team’s day to day tasks and progress.
- Provide mission operations support to a constellation of satellites.
- Monitor health and status of each spacecraft in the constellation and perform short and long-term telemetry trending.
- Work with systems and software engineers to conduct anomaly review board investigations as necessary.
- Make modifications to existing operations procedures to incorporate lessons learned from in-flight performance.
- Develop new procedures as required.
- Support system maintenance activities such as procedure updates and software updates.
- Conduct testing using simulators and work with a diverse group of engineers to debug on-orbit and ground issues.
- Track space vehicle configuration, including both hardware and software.
- Collaborate with mission planners to enable manual and automated mission planning during different phases of operations.
- Support constellation-level operations, including shift work which will involve 12-hour and night shifts.
- Prioritize tasks for yourself and your teammates and take the lead on resolving issues.
- Coordinate operations with teams located in multiple sites.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience; or PhD with 4 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree
- Active Secret clearance required at the time of application, and the ability to obtain Top Secret clearance
- Space systems engineering experience/satellite operations experience
- RF communications domain expertise
- Linux System Administrator experience
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to determine the root cause of spacecraft and ground system anomalies, and the ability to make difficult decisions in high-pressure environments
- Ability to communicate and collaborate with all levels of employees and management
- Willingness and ability to support a 24/7 environment with shift work
Preferred Qualifications
- TS/CI poly
- CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent
- Experience with Civil Engineering projects
- Experience conducting trade-studies
- Experience briefing at formal milestone reviews
- Experience in working with multiple subcontractors
- Test Engineering development for large-scale Mission / Cross-Mission test campaigns
- Briefed by Customer of the Program
Primary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00
The 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.
From Northrop Grumman's job posting for Huntsville, AL, checked 10 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.
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