Principal Communication Systems Engineer (AHT)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

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.

The Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) program within Northrop Grumman Defense Systems was developed and built by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Army but has since transitioned to the USSF.  JTAGS receives and processes data directly down-linked from the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation of satellites, including Defense Support Program (DSP) and Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) sensors, and other infrared satellite sensors.  JTAGS then disseminates near-real-time warning, alerting and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events of interest throughout the theater using multiple communications networks.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a multi-skilled, self-motivated, energetic individual to work at our Colorado Springs, CO location as a Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer Communications Systems supporting the JTAGS program.  As an engineering team member you should excel in interpersonal, business, and technical domains.  In this role you’ll analyze, update, integrate, model, and design communications systems and subsystems.  You will support all aspects of our mission communication networks, data links, digital radios, battle management, and command and control systems such as wide and local area networks, point-to-point systems, secure systems, signal coding and modulation schema digital radio/communications technology and network architecture design.  Strong collaboration and communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for engaging with internal and external stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams, raise issues at the program level, and drive complex projects to success
• Communicate effectively with team members and internal stakeholders, both verbally and through written content
• Evaluate customer and operational needs to define requirements, integrate technical parameters, and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and program interfaces
• Support reviews of requests for proposals to support solution development and response
• Lead trade studies to optimize system architecture
• Define and validate space system requirements and interfaces
• Develop and direct technical concept development in support of proposals
• Lead development of space architecture concepts, sub-system design, requirements development, analysis and decomposition, hardware system design, concept of operations (CONOPS) development, and risk reduction
• Lead analyses for affordability, safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, human systems integration, survivability, vulnerability, susceptibility, system security, regulatory, certification, product assurance and other specialties quality factors into a preferred configuration to ensure mission success
• Participate in developing system engineering processes for requirements management, flow down, and traceability
• Participate in program status and technical interchange meetings
• Provide support for development and enhancement of engineering inputs to program documentation, CDRLs, and research & development reports

Basic Qualifications

• For a Principal Engineer Communications Systems: 5 years relevant operational and engineering experience with Bachelor’s degree in science, or 3 years relevant experience with Master’s degree, or 1 year relevant experience with a PHD; or in lieu of a degree 9 years experience
• Active Secret security clearance
• Strong background in systems engineering, experience in space technology and operations, and the ability to be the technical point of contact for our communication programs
• Understanding of RF concept, impairments, and the resulting impacts
• Experience with and understanding of satellite-communications standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2x, CCSDS)
• Experience working with product/component developers and vendors who provide critical functionality to the overall system
• Experience with optical communications systems
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills
• Ability to define work direction, track milestones, and demonstrate progress on large open-ended projects
• Sense of urgency, with the ability to work well under pressure
• The ability to work well in teams, with peers and management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with subordinates, peers, and leaders
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with RF satellite communication systems (hardware and software, systems engineering, RF system design requirements development, integration and test, system development, or related field)
• Understanding of several communication systems and digital signal processing concepts (e.g., modulation, coding, synchronization, estimation, detection theory, waveform design, channel effects, and link performance)
• A current and active Secret security clearance issued by the US government
• US citizenship is required
• Experience with satellite communications ground system(s) and/or missile warning system(s)
• Experience supporting US Space Force development or sustainment program(s) as a defense contractor
• Working knowledge and/or experience with JIRA for task assignment, status tracking, and execution

Salary Range: $100,300.00 - $150,000.00

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.