Systems Engineer - Level 3
- US citizenship
- Top Secret clearance
How this pay compares
This posting states $98.4k–$148k a year. Open systems engineer jobs in Arizona post a median of $146k a year, the middle half $123k–$190k, across 28 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: No ## 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 Systems Sector is seeking a Systems Engineer – Level 3to join our team in Gilbert, Arizona. ## This position is contingent upon the candidate 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. Successful candidates for this position will work as a Principal System Engineer on a national security space program.
Spacecraft Space Systems 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 Space Systems 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!
This Principal Systems Engineering position is for an individual-contributor within a multi-disciplinary engineering team. Responsibilities include design, integration, development and testing of space payloads, spacecraft buses, and satellites.
Come join our team and help us keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible. ## Job Responsibilities The position will be responsible for supporting and leading systems engineering tasks for space subsystems, payloads and/or vehicles. - Perform requirements development, allocation, verification/validation planning and manage interface definition efforts. - Write complex specifications, interface control documents, and engineering reports. - Support interface/communication with program, functional and subsystem leads. - Assist with trade studies, system sensitivity studies, design optimization studies, system performance assessments, mission analysis and timelines, and CONOPS development. - Support execution activities including engineering review board and configuration control board - Prepare review/briefing material for working group meetings, reviews and program status - Provide on-floor support of integration, testing, and operational readiness of spacecraft and payloads. - Other tasks may include electrical harness interface design, integration and test development and support, mechanical systems support, Command & Telemetry database development, and space vehicle configuration modeling. - Ability to capture core concepts and instructional needs from a large amount of technical data (ground and space hardware) and communicate technical concepts to peers ## Basic Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 5+ years of engineering experience OR - Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 3 years of experience or PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, Math) with 1 year of experience. - Must have active or current U.S.
Government Top Secret Clearance at time of application. - Self-starter with strong technical problem-solving skills, an aptitude for understanding system and subsystem interactions and initiative to drive product development to closure - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Previous engineering experience, preferably on space programs or satellite operations - Understanding of Systems Engineering functions ## Preferred Qualifications - Experience in space systems, spacecraft design, or mission operations - Experience in requirements development, decomposition and allocation - Understanding of spacecraft/space system integration & test, launch, and/or mission operations - Automated test script or test procedure development and maintenance for software testing - Experience in requirements management, system architecture, and CONOPs development - 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, thermal design and analysis, or spacecraft integration and testing (either at the spacecraft or payload level) - Active U.S.
Government Top Secret and SCI/SSBI security clearance Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space . Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life.
For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards ## As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for -Medical, Dental & Vision coverage -401k -Educational Assistance -Life Insurance -Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions -Paid Time Off -Health & Wellness Resources -Employee Discounts -Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work. #AZSpace #SpaceEngJobs #SpaceSysEngJobs #SPEnhancedERAP Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00 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, 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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