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Lead Systems Engineer Space Superiority

Northrop Grumman

Dulles, VAJob$142–213K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$142–213K/yr
Location
Dulles, VA
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Top Secret clearance, required

Job overview

Northrop Grumman seeks a Lead Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering for the design, development, and deployment of space vehicle systems. The role works with the program manager to deliver space systems supporting national defense capabilities and serves as the spokesperson for other engineering disciplines. The position is 100% on site and requires an active, current, in-scope U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at application.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Systems Engineering, requiredSystems Integration, requiredSystem Development, requiredSystem Manufacturing, requiredSystem Testing, requiredSystem Operations, requiredTechnical Leadership, requiredProject Leadership, requiredWritten Communication, requiredOral Communication, requiredTechnical Presentations, requiredTechnical Principles, requiredIndependent Problem Solving, requiredSystem Architecture, nice to haveCONOPs Development, nice to haveSpacecraft Design, nice to haveIntegration and Test, nice to haveHigh-Rate Manufacturing, nice to have

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Engineering or Related Technical Field + 8 Years or Master's + 6 Years, requiredActive U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance, requiredCurrent SCI Access, nice to haveCurrent Program Access, nice to haveMaster's in Engineering, nice to have

Benefits

Relocation Assistance
Medical Insurance
Paid Time Off

Full job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 Sector (NGSP), seeks a Lead Systems Engineer (LSE)

The LSE will be the Lead Engineer responsible for ensuring effective execution of all systems engineering functions for the design, development and deployment of space vehicle systems as well as the spokesperson for all other engineering disciplines on the program. The LSE will work in cooperation with the program manager to ensure delivery of space systems that support critical national defense capabilities.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the entire space segment engineering team.

  • In many cases, own the cost and schedule baseline for systems engineering functions including:

  • Systems analysis and trades, engineering baseline management, interface management, requirements development, verification and validation, integration & test campaign development and execution, subcontractor technical oversight, CAM/EVMS duties, preparing/presenting SE material at all major engineering or program management reviews

  • Lead and optimize space vehicle design, manufacturing and mission capabilities.

  • Troubleshoot and develop solutions to complex problems programmatic level engineering problems.

  • Develop, author and/or provide input to major program data products and other deliverables.

  • Technical management of program elements

  • Plan and conduct of reviews and technical baseline

  • Mentor, coach, train, guide, direct and advise junior staff

  • The candidate will work with cross-discipline team members and must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse community of engineers and managers to achieve the goals of the program team

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or related technical field, and 8 years of applicable experience, or a Master’s Degree and 6 years of applicable experience

  • Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope

  • Experience in systems engineering and integration of complex systems, including system development, manufacture, test or operations, including previous technical or project leadership positions

  • Excellent written and oral communications skills and technical presentation experience

  • Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines

  • Works under only general direction. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions

P referred Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in Engineering

  • Experience in system architecture & CONOPs development

  • Current SCI access, Current Program Access

  • Understanding of spacecraft detailed design, integration & test

  • Experience with high rate of manufacture defense systems

This position is 100% on site and contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

#NoVASpace

#SpaceSysEngJobs

#SpaceEngJobs

#SPEnhancedERAP

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.

Job Category: Engineering

How this job compares

Set against the 11,553 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 12, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$142–213K/yr
  • Virginia median$118–182K/yr919 salary ranges
  • US median$115–187K/yr8,722 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $178K, is 17% above the Virginia median midpoint ($151K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineer salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,154 open Systems Engineer jobs in Virginia and 11,553 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
This posting asks for at least 6 years of experience; Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (9,624 postings).
Education
4,343 of the 11,553 open Systems Engineer jobs (38%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 12, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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