Systems Engineer Level 4 - Mission Operations Development Lead - Gilbert

Mission Operations Development Lead Engineer

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.

The Mission Operations Development group is looking for a Mission Operations Development Lead Engineer to join a growing team on our Gilbert, AZ campus. This full‑time technical role will support multiple satellite programs and lead the development and execution of on-orbit operations across the full mission lifecycle.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide mission operations support to Northrop Grumman satellite programs across LEOPS, NOMOPS, payload operations, and End-of-Life phases.
• Lead on-orbit procedure and script development and automation
• Development and verification of on-orbit command procedures and automated scripts based on operational concepts and vendor documentation.
• Testing on-orbit operational products using simulators and resolving discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain Signatures, Limits, and Constraints documentation
• Author and maintain on-orbit handbooks and operator reference guides for Launch & Early Operations (LEOPS), transition to NOMOPS, routine NOMOPS, and payload event operations.
• Develop and deliver system familiarization and operator training
• Lead rehearsal activities for key on-orbit events, Mission Readiness Tests (MRTs), Mission Rehearsals (MRs), Day-In-The-Life (DITL), LEOPS events, transition to NOMOPS, and major payload events.
• Execute Launch and Early Operations (LEOPS) On-console support during launch, early orbit, and transfer operations.
• Provide On-Orbit Test planning and execution support to the Satellite Control Authority (SCA) OOT procedure development, test timeline definition, data review, and documentation of results and recommendations.
• Support passivation and End of Life (EOL) planning and execution
• Lead development and test of command procedures, telemetry pages, and other mission operations products derived from vendor and system engineering documentation.
• Develop on orbit products including operation procedures and executable on orbit scripts.
• Make modifications to existing operations procedures and products to incorporate lessons learned from in-flight performance, and develop new procedures as required.
• Support system development activities such as requirements management, operations concept development, architecture input, integration and test, and formal program milestones.
• Work closely with systems engineers to develop operational documentation and concepts for on-orbit checkout, commissioning, and routine operations.
• Participate in on-orbit anomaly resolution efforts
• Provide status reporting through both functional and program reporting channels.
• Support multiple programs within the same product line with consistent application of Integrated/Developmental Operations processes and standards.
• Support internal and external customer meetings through proficient verbal and written communication (MS PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Excel).
• Role may require shift work and travel (~20% of the time) for simulations, rehearsals, launch campaigns, and on-site operations support.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related discipline and 8 years of relevant experience; 6 years with a Master's; 4 years with a PhD.
• Prior experience conducting on-orbit mission operations and/or resolving satellite/ground system anomalies.
• Experience with at least one spacecraft subsystem (e.g., ADCS/GNC, command and data handling, communications,…