Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector, Space Superiority Division, seeks a qualified Systems Engineer to serve as the Chief Engineer for a Space Vehicle Development program within the Rapid Innovations Operating Unit (RI OU). The qualified candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team executing the design and development of a Space Vehicle and its associated Mission, as well as support capture efforts for future phases of the program.

In this leadership level role, the Chief Engineer is expected to be self-directed using previous experience to lead design, analysis, and execution efforts, while also recognizing and mitigating technical issues/risks that may impact capability, cost, or schedule. Regular interaction with senior business leadership and the Customer is expected, meaning that presentation skills and particularly the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to either technical or nontechnical audiences is required.

The Chief Engineer has technical oversight for the program, and primary duties include:

• Serving as the primary technical advisor to the program manager
• Lead/Provide major support to the entire space segment technical team
• Assisting senior program leadership on shaping customer acquisition strategy
• Leveraging NG capabilities and technologies to meet customer goals and objectives
• Coordinating internal responses to cross-segment issues and providing high level briefings on major decision points to senior leadership
• Ensuring that all engineering teams adhere to sound engineering processes, in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards
• Planning and managing technical reviews
• Working with the lead systems engineer to ensure that givers/receivers, GFx and other roadblocks are quickly identified and countered
• Leading / supporting on-ramp of new system capabilities through studies or ECPs
• Managing the integration of complex payloads onto an existing platform
• Mentoring, training, and directing junior staff

Successful candidates will also demonstrate an attitude and approach founded in the following key characteristics:

• Data Driven: Able to coordinate and organize large amounts of data from a diverse team into key take-aways
• Schedule Driven: Quickly driving issues to closure or decision point
• Demonstrated track record of being a solutions-oriented high energy problem solver
• Able to focus on short term objectives and understanding how they fit into the longer term plan

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree STEM or related technical field, and 14 years of applicable experience; a Master’s Degree and 12 years of applicable experience; or a PhD and 10 years of applicable experience
• Must possess a current or active Top Secret / SCI Clearance at time of application.
• Experience with space mission development / architecture, as well as spacecraft design and development
• Experience working small- or medium-size Government programs
• Experience leading a team of engineers
• Demonstrated strong communication skills (verbal and written) with experience briefing executive and customer leadership
• Experience in the Space Security Domain

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10yrs of direct experience with Space systems

• Current Program access
• Exposure to Northrop Grumman space vehicle design and production
• Experience with Class B, C or D Space Programs
• Knowledge of aerospace environmental testing standards
• Experience with ground segment design, development, and sustainment
• Established network of contacts in other NG divisions/sectors/programs
• Experience working as a primary subcontractor
• CAM / engineering project management experience