Principal/Senior Principal Space Systems Engineer Mission Architect
Northrop Grumman · Posted Nov 9, 2026
- Chantilly, Virginia, United States
- On-site
- Full-time · Principal
- $114K–$171K per year
- 5+ years
Lead mission architecture and integration for space security missions at Northrop Grumman Space Systems.
Compensation
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00
Responsibilities
- Develop and evaluate spacecraft and mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), design reference missions, and operational scenarios.
- Perform mission-level analyses and technical trade studies.
- Assess spacecraft day-in-the-life operations and develop mission sequences for launch, commissioning, on-orbit operations, and contingency scenarios.
- Collaborate across spacecraft, payload, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), software, communications, ground, and mission-operations teams to develop an integrated spacecraft and mission solution.
- Work with mission partners to model and mature mission elements, operational concepts, interfaces, and execution plans.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- PhD
- Nice to have: Technical briefing
- Nice to have: Cross-disciplinary collaboration