Skip to main contentA logo with &quat;the muse&quat; in dark blue text.

Systems Engineer / Principal Systems Engineer

Yesterday Chandler, AZ

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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 has an exciting career opportunity for a Systems Engineer OR Principal Systems Engineer to join the Systems Safety Engineering team within the Launch Vehicles business unit located in Chandler, AZ.
Position Overview:
The System Safety Engineering Team utilizes system engineering processes and tools to drive the overall system design to meet safety requirements to minimize the risk inherent in launch vehicle operations while maximizing mission reliability and success. At Northrop Grumman Launch Vehicles, System Safety Engineering is involved in all phases of a program life cycle, from proposal generation to launch operations. System Safety Engineering interfaces with various ranges to ensure that our launch vehicles meet safety requirements while providing high reliability to the customer.
The System Safety Engineer is responsible for working with a System Safety Engineering team that develops key range safety deliverables, and support system safety activities including ground safety, range safety and flight safety throughout a program's life cycle. The System Safety Engineering deliverables are the only documents that provide a complete, true system description of the components, systems, launch vehicle and mission design, and as such require a high level of understanding of the entire design. The System Safety Engineering effort includes interacting as part of a multi-disciplined engineering team to develop the launch system architecture and constituent elements for new and existing flight programs, as well as new business concepts and proposals.
Job Responsibilities:

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Chandler, AZ delivered to your inbox every week.

Job alert subscription

Interact with key internal and external customers and partners on a daily basis regarding system safety topics.
Work with or lead a small team of System Safety engineers in defining, implementing and verifying System Safety requirements to ensure that the inherent risks are mitigated.
System Safety Engineers are responsible for understanding the entire mission, including the launch vehicle, payload, ground support equipment, range infrastructure and range safety interfaces.
System Safety Engineers are expected to understand how the different components, subsystems, systems and integrated launch vehicle function and interact, with a focus on System Safety.
Apply the systems engineering process to define and verify launch vehicle and ground support equipment requirements to ensure safe operations and conduct system safety analyses to architect and implement a safe and robust system.
Define and verify launch vehicle-to-payload interface requirements and support space vehicle launch campaign management activities at the various launch sites.
Manage interface with customer safety and launch integration personnel and support ground operations and launch mission working groups as requested.
Support launch vehicle design and development to ensure that customer and internal goals for safety, mission success, and performance are met.
Analyze Integration and Test processes to demonstrate customer and internal requirements are met for both safety and mission success, whether at the various launch sites or at our facilities in Chandler, AZ.
Conduct system level analyses to architect and design next generation mission concepts to maximize mission success without compromising compliance with customer, government and internal flight safety requirements.
Describe, analyze and explain launch vehicle designs to External customers to explain how applicable safety requirements for design, build, and test are met.
Reviews product systems associated with support equipment and facilities, functional specifications and operations, and establishes safety requirements for assigned systems. Independently analyzes and recommends safety criteria in system design, equipment and procedures to control or eliminate hazards.
Develop safety documents as required to support customer and test/operational range requirements. Performs audits of operational areas and reports effectiveness of system safety program. Participates in accident investigations involving damage to products or related facilities and assists in identification of causes and corrective actions. Evaluates the interrelationship of system safety requirements and other aspects of concept design and development requirements to ensure the most cost-effective program.
This requisition may be filled at a higher level based on the qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications (BQs):
This requisition may be filled at either a Systems Engineer or a Principal Systems Engineer level.
Basic Qualifications for Systems Engineer (T02):

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 2 years of related experience, or a Master's degree and 0 years of related experience.
Experience with launch vehicle system design, testing or Mission Operations
Exposure to the systems engineering discipline and its application for system safety
Experience with tailoring and implementing RCC-319, RCC-324, and/or MIL-STD-882
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs.
Applicants must be a current U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD issued Secret security clearance.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Engineer (T03):

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of related experience, or a Master's degree and 3 years of related experience, or 1 year of experience with a PhD.
Experience with launch vehicle system design, testing or Mission Operations
Exposure to the systems engineering discipline and its application for system safety
Experience with tailoring and implementing RCC-319, RCC-324, AFSPCMAN-91-710 and/or MIL-STD-882
Experience leading a small team of engineers (managing deadlines, scheduling work, etc.)
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs.
Applicants must be a current U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD issued Secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:

A current active in-scope U.S. Government DoD issued Secret Security Clearance is highly preferred
Established relationships with Range Safety Personnel
Experience with Solid Rocket Boost Stages and Liquid Fueled Rockets
Experience in launch vehicle system integration, testing and evaluation
Experience in presenting in front of customers and Air Force/NASA personnel
Experience in development and maintenance of requirements control documents and related processes
* Experience using Requirements Management Tools such as DOORS.
Primary Level Salary Range: $77,200.00 - $115,800.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $95,300.00 - $142,900.00The 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.

Client-provided location(s): Chandler, AZ
Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10210707
Employment Type: OTHER
Posted: 2025-10-10T20:14:19

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • On-Site Gym
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
    • Four-Day Work Week
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Relocation Assistance
    • Financial Counseling
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    Company Videos

    Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at Northrop Grumman.