Sr. Principal Satellite Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Operations

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Grand Forks
Posted on: April 4, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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. Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Sr. Principal Satellite Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Operations (Level 4) located in Grand Forks, ND, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. *Please be aware that this position will be contingent upon launch date and holding final clearances (if applicable) prior to start date* In this role, the Sr. Principal Satellite Systems Engineer (Level 4) will be instrumental in driving the success of complex satellite operations. The selected candidate must be available to travel to Redondo Beach, CA, for a minimum of two months of training. We are seeking an individual with exceptional problem-solving abilities, capable of identifying and resolving the root causes of spacecraft and ground system anomalies while making critical decisions under high-pressure conditions. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also essential, enabling seamless collaboration and effective interfacing with employees and management at all levels. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Oversee the team’s day-to-day activities and ensure operational progress. Provide mission operations support for a constellation of satellites. Monitor the health and status of spacecraft, analyzing both short- and long-term telemetry trends. Collaborate with systems and software engineers to lead anomaly review board investigations. Make modifications to existing operations procedures to incorporate lessons learned from in-flight performance. Develop new procedures as required. Support system maintenance, including updates to procedures and software. Conduct testing using simulators and work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to debug on-orbit and ground issues. Track space vehicle configuration, including both hardware and software. Collaborate with mission planners to enable manual and automated mission planning during different phases of operations. Support constellation-level operations, including shift work with 12-hour and night rotations (4 on, 4 off schedule). Lead the prioritization of tasks, resolve issues, and support coordination across geographically distributed teams. *This position will be contingent upon launch date and holding final clearances (if applicable) prior to start date* Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of relevant satellite and/or mission operator engineering experience; Master's degree in STEM with 6 years of relevant experience; PhD in STEM with 4 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree Active DoD Secret clearance required at the time of application with the ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance Space systems engineering experience/satellite operations experience Ability and willingness to work in a 24/7 operations environment, supporting 12-hour shifts on a 4-on, 4-off schedule, alternating between 4 day shifts and 4 night shifts Preferred Qualifications: Active DoD Top Secret clearance Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering Proficiency in Python Experience working with subcontractors Expertise in RF communications domain LI-DB1 Primary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Fargo , Sr. Principal Satellite Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Operations, Engineering , Grand Forks, North Dakota