Spacecraft Payload Engineering Deputy Lead - Top Secret Clearance Required (Space Systems)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 Space Systems is seeking a Spacecraft Payload Engineering Deputy Lead to support the ESPAStarTM product line to work in our Gilbert, AZ or Dulles, VA location.

ESPAStarTM is a highly capable and dynamic line of spacecraft that are referred to as the “freight train to space”. The missions are configured in a product line approach, with the foundation of each program being an ESPAStarTM bus that serves as a hosting platform for six ports worth of payloads – sometimes hosting a total of 12-20 individual payloads! Every mission has a unique payload loadout, and every payload brings new missions, new technologies, and new customers. Come join our team and help us keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible!

The specific responsibilities of the Spacecraft Payload Engineering Deputy Lead is to assist the Lead in managing and leading the technical execution of the entire payload manifest associated with their mission specific ESPAStarTM. Tasking includes development of payload specific accommodation interface documents, interface control documents (ICDs), support to weekly interface meetings, supervise payload technical design accommodations, lead payload testing during integration & test campaigns, and support on-orbit payload operations.

More information about the unique and highly capable ESPAStarTM platform can be found here: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/espastar/

Job Responsibilities:

• Drive payload technical execution in accordance with Northrop Grumman Systems Engineering processes and best practices

• Be self-directed while leveraging your technical and leadership skills to help bring payload and platform Interfaces together to produce a spacecraft meeting contractual and mission requirements

• Function as a primary payload interface for customers, program management, product line engineering leadership, mission assurance, subsystem engineering, and launch vehicle integration teams

• Develop payload specific Interface control documents governing all mechanical, electrical, and functional interfaces to the host ESPAStarTM

• Recognize and mitigate payload related technical issues and risks

• Play a key role in major program milestone and readiness reviews

• Working with our customers, aid in the development of operational mission scenarios and payload concepts of operations

• Support the planning, design, and execution of testing strategies to exercise payload functionality, measure performance, and verify survivability in the extreme launch and space environments

• Directly support the Launch and On-orbit operations campaign for your designated mission at the launch site and Mission Operations Center

• Author and provide input to major program data products and other deliverables

• Assist process improvement initiatives, and incorporate lessons learned to continue to strengthen the ESPAStarTM product line

• Lead by example and be willing to mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise junior staff

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8+ years of engineering experience OR Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline and 6+ years of engineering experience

• Have a strong background in systems engineering to include architectural studies, technical baseline definition, requirements & interface management, hardware/software integration, test planning & execution, or operational support

• Possess strong leadership qualities, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills (upward and downward)

• Prior experience in technical or project leadership positions

• Must have U.S. Citizenship with active or current Top Secret Clearance at time of application with the ability to obtain SCI/SSBI

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in engineering, physics, or computer science

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI/SSBI

• Recognized systems engineering subject matter expert (SME)

• Experience working on aircraft or spacecraft systems or payloads

• Experience in system architecture, CONOPs development, or model-based system engineering

• Strong People and Technical Leadership Skills

• 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 is also desired.

Salary Range: $118,600.00 - $206,000.00

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.