Principal Spacecraft Operations

Posted:
12/4/2024, 6:40:36 AM

Location(s):
Colorado, United States ⋅ Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Operations & Logistics

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Polygraph

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.

The Payload and Ground Systems, a division within Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, redefining engineering capabilities, and driving advances in various sciences through cutting-edge technology.  Our team is chartered with providing the skills, and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Spacecraft Operations employee to join our Orbital Analyst team supporting our FROST program.   This position will be based in Colorado Springs, Colorado at Schriever AFB.

The Spacecraft Operations employee will be responsible for astrodynamics analytical support, system problem/anomaly resolution support, data trending, operational product updates, and performance analysis. The team also provides program expertise on engineering subsystems and maintains a baseline of operational products for a complex system. The candidate will have an active role in shaping the basis of how to execute planning and operations. The candidate should be a self-starter who has a passion for space and wants to be part of a team that shares that passion.

Job responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:     

  • Perform orbit analysis, orbital determination, and analysis functions.
  • Generate and provide daily orbital data to execute numerous satellite contacts.
  • Generate and provide daily orbit data to external users.
  • Perform orbital engineering tasks required to support launch operations including sensor coverage and telemetry collection planning using link margin analysis and other tools, predicting trajectory and estimating the final orbit.
  • Participate in program-to-customer interface requirements definition to ensure program and customer mission success.
  • Interface with external customers to maintain tracking station location, obscura, and Transmit Inhibit Zone data.
  • Participate in testing efforts of newly upgraded tracking stations.
  • Participate in customer education of basic astrodynamics.
  • Providing rotating 24x7 on-call support to lead the resolution of system issues and anomalies. 

This position requires being onsite and does not support remote or hybrid work. 

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years' experience or Master's Degree with 2 years of experience. An additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree. 
  • Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with an adjudicated Polygraph at time of application
  • Must have 4 years of experience within Space Operations and Orbit Analysis
  • Experience with MATLAB, Systems Tool Kit (STK) and other related COTS software used in space operations and orbit analysis
  • Background in one or more of the following technical disciplines: orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, modeling and simulation, and analysis
  • Multi-tasking including identifying and achieving multiple milestones spread across various calendars and schedules.
  • Creating and following standard processes and clearly document results.
  • Must have the ability to work rotating on-call shifts and occasionally work odd/extended hours covering a 24/7 period

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in STEM preferred with 5 years’ experience in space operations and orbit analysis
  • Experience in executing the project life cycle of requirements analysis, design, script development, software development, integration, test, and sustainment
  • Knowledge of communications (network and RF) topologies, including SGLS, K and X band design
  • Knowledge and experience with satellite command & control theories and methodologies

To better support our employee’s work/life balance, most NG worksites support a 9/80 work schedule. The 9/80 schedule allows employees to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off.  This schedule or other work-hour flexibility options can be determined upon hire.

With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on Earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today.

Salary Range: $91,200.00 - $136,800.00

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.

Employees may be eligible for 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 committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA 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.

Northrop Grumman

Website: https://northropgrumman.com/

Headquarter Location: Falls Church, Virginia, United States

Employee Count: 10001+

Year Founded: 1994

IPO Status: Public

Last Funding Type: Grant

Industries: Data Integration ⋅ Manufacturing ⋅ Remote Sensing ⋅ Security ⋅ Software