Staff Engineer Systems – X-Lab Chief Scientist

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Launch and Missile Defense Systems presents an excellent opportunity for a Staff Engineer Systems – X-Lab Chief Scientist to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. This position, based at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO, plays a crucial role in supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and operational levels.

Relocation assistance is not provided for this position, and this role requires on-site work with no remote options.

Position Overview:

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a crucial part of the Missile Defense System. It offers an essential operational platform that enables the U.S. president, the secretary of defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and tactical levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, monitor battle progress, and actively manage networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals. C2BMC provides a layered missile defense capability, delivering an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It acts as a force multiplier by connecting, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations both worldwide and locally to enhance overall performance. Additionally, C2BMC is a vital component of all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the missile defense system's current and future capabilities.

The X-Lab Chief Scientist will play an essential role in shaping and advancing technical capabilities within a dynamic environment, innovating and providing thought leadership for missile defense projects. The ideal candidate will have a mix of technical expertise, leadership, and communication skills, and will excel in a fast-paced, mission-focused workplace. This role will involve solving complex problems, supporting technology roadmaps, and encouraging collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams to meet programmatic and governmental needs.

This position provides exciting opportunities to develop and shape emerging capabilities vital to national defense. The chosen individual will collaborate closely with scientists, engineers, and stakeholders to ensure mission success and enhance technological readiness.

Essential Functions:

• An adaptable professional who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments with changing priorities.
• A collaborative team member capable of working seamlessly within multidisciplinary teams while providing leadership, initiative, and innovation
• Superior written and verbal communication skills to effectively articulate technical challenges and solutions to diverse audiences, including program leaders and government stakeholders
• Extensive experience working with the missile defense kill-chain, including missile kinematics, aero and orbital dynamics, track processing, and modeling & analysis
• Ability to conduct trade studies, develop courses of action, and assist with technology roadmaps and experiment planning
• Proven ability to quickly integrate with technical teams and work independently or as a task leader

Basic Qualifications:

Please include your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in STEM fields such as Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline from an accredited university is preferred, along with 12 years of relevant work experience; or a Master’s degree (preferred) in a STEM-related field with 10 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in a related field with 8 years of relevant experience
• Applicants must possess a current, active in