
IR Plume Mod/Sim Systems Engineer - Level 2 or 3
Colorado Springs, COJob$83–155K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.
You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.
Watch jobs like this. New roles like this one near Colorado Springs, CO, by email.
Don't just apply. Show up ready.
Olive works from this exact posting.
At a glance
Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.
Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
Northrop Grumman seeks an IR Plume Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer at Level 2 or 3 to develop high-fidelity threat missile signature data and support Missile Defense Agency ground-test modeling and simulation. The role researches infrared signature predictions, coordinates with engineers on software requirements, and applies engineering and mathematical methods to missile phenomenology. The position is onsite daily at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs and requires an active Secret clearance at application.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: 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, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU) has an exciting career opportunity for a IR Plume Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 2 or 3 (IR Plume Mod/Sim Systems Engineer) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located on-site at Schriever Space Force Base, in Colorado Springs, CO.
This role requires employees to be onsite daily with no option for remote/hybrid work .
Position Overview:
Threat Systems Engineering (TSE) is responsible for the development and delivery of high-fidelity threat modeling products in support of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and MDA’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). TSE is responsible for the development of models and simulations (M&S) used to stimulate element models of MDA’s BMDS, including kinematic missile modeling, IR signature modeling, data production/analysis activities, and maintenance/sustainment activities for the entire TSE software baseline. TSE is a cornerstone element to the Threat and Advanced Simulations Development (TASD) contract.
Essential Functions:
-
Gain experience with threat model phenomenology with a focus on Infrared (IR) signatures
-
Research into IR signature predictions and simulation models
-
Actively work with the team to ensure completion of data production needs in support of MDA Ground Test Modeling and Simulation
-
Work in close coordination with TMC engineers for software requirements of threat modeling tools
-
Understand stakeholder requirements and ensure the quality production of threat missile data.
-
Responsible for developing high fidelity threat missile signature data packages for use in a variety of modeling and simulation tools and media.
-
Will demonstrate a good understanding of modeling and simulation methods and processes.
-
Will apply standard engineering and mathematical algorithms to ensure the accurate portrayal of expected phenomenology characteristics during the flight of a missile.
-
Will work with little or no direct supervision, and work as an integral member of a product delivery team and meet time critical delivery schedules.
Seeking candidates who find satisfaction in working on challenging and diverse assignments in collaborative settings across all levels.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
This requisition may be fulfilled at either the Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 2 or Principal Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer – Level 3.
Basic Requirements:
-
Level 2 - Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline preferred with 2 years of technical experience, or 0-2 years’ experience with a Masters’ Degree.
-
Level 3 - Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline preferred from an accredited university and 5 years of related experience, or a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of experience, or a PhD in a STEM discipline with 0-3 years of experience.
-
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs.
-
Applicants must have a current active in-scope U.S. Government issued Secret security clearance at the time of application which is required to start.
-
Experience with technical analysis of modeling and simulation data sets
-
Experience with Verification and Validation of modeling and simulation data
-
Candidate must be results-focused, work well within a dynamic environment, be self-motivated, able to work in a team environment, and be able to produce reliable products and documentation within established deadlines
-
Experience and proficiency with scripting/automation languages such as Python, Bash, or MATLAB
-
Foundational understanding of data analysis concepts.
-
Knowledge of the flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and performance of missiles
Preferred Requirements:
-
Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or a related STEM field
-
Good understanding of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, and molecular spectroscopy
-
Strong math, physics or engineering background is preferred
-
Previous experience with analyzing flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and missile performance parameters of ballistic missiles is highly desirable
-
Background in infrared signature modeling
-
Technical Planning, project management and project scheduling experience
-
Experience with Blackbody IR Emissions
-
Familiarity with Optical Signatures Code (OSC)
-
Experience with Joint Army Navy NASA Air Force (JANNAF) plume codes for predictive signatures (SOCRATES-P, PERCORP, VIPER, etc.)
-
Strong knowledge of the flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and performance of missiles
-
Strong background in missile system engineering performance is highly desirable
-
Experience in Agile software development methodologies including Scrum and Kanban
-
Familiarity and/or experience with Model-based Systems Engineering theory and tools
-
Active or Interim DoD Secret Clearance with ability to obtain a Top Secret with access to SCI
#COSpace
#SpaceEngJobs
#SpaceSysEngJobs
#SPEnhancedERAP
Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00
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 11,800 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 8, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$83–155K/yr
- Colorado median$115–178K/yr940 salary ranges
- US median$115–190K/yr8,840 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $119K, is 20% below the Colorado median midpoint ($149K) — in the lowest quarter of Systems Engineer salary ranges in Colorado.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 1,084 open Systems Engineer jobs in Colorado and 11,800 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Colorado
- Lockheed Martin149 open
- BAE Systems98 open
- Northrop Grumman (this employer)49 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (9,716 postings).
- Education
- 4,402 of the 11,800 open Systems Engineer jobs (37%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 8, 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.
Prepare for this role
You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.



