Systems Engineer Level 4 - Mission Operations Development Lead - Gilbert

About the role

The Mission Operations Development group is looking for a Mission Operations Development Lead Engineer to support multiple satellite programs and lead the development and execution of on-orbit operations across the full mission lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide mission operations support to Northrop Grumman satellite programs across LEOPS, NOMOPS, payload operations, and End-of-Life phases.
• Lead on-orbit procedure and script development and automation.
• Develop and verify on-orbit command procedures and automated scripts based on operational concepts and vendor documentation.
• Test on-orbit operational products using simulators and resolve discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain Signatures, Limits, and Constraints documentation.
• Author and maintain on-orbit handbooks and operator reference guides for Launch & Early Operations (LEOPS), transition to NOMOPS, routine NOMOPS, and payload event operations.
• Develop and deliver system familiarization and operator training.
• Lead rehearsal activities for key on-orbit events, Mission Readiness Tests (MRTs), Mission Rehearsals (MRs), Day-In-The-Life (DITL), LEOPS events, transition to NOMOPS, and major payload events.
• Execute Launch and Early Operations (LEOPS) On-console support during launch, early orbit, and transfer operations.
• Provide On-Orbit Test planning and execution support to the Satellite Control Authority (SCA).
• Develop and test command procedures, telemetry pages, and other mission operations products derived from vendor and system engineering documentation.
• Develop on orbit products including operation procedures and executable on orbit scripts.
• Make modifications to existing operations procedures and products to incorporate lessons learned from in-flight performance, and develop new procedures as required.
• Support system development activities such as requirements management, operations concept development, architecture input, integration and test, and formal program milestones.
• Participate in on-orbit anomaly resolution efforts.
• Provide status reporting through both functional and program reporting channels.
• Support multiple programs within the same product line with consistent application of Integrated/Developmental Operations processes and standards.
• Support internal and external customer meetings through proficient verbal and written communication (MS PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Excel).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related discipline and 8 years of relevant experience; 6 years with a Master’s; 4 years with a PhD.
• Prior experience conducting on-orbit mission operations and/or resolving satellite/ground system anomalies.
• Experience with at least one spacecraft subsystem (e.g., ADCS/GNC, command and data handling, communications, power, thermal, flight software, orbital planning and dynamics, etc.).
• Systems engineering experience or significant coursework in systems engineering or system design.
• Experience writing technical documents for internal or external customers (e.g., procedures, handbooks, test plans, or operations documentation).
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive presentations to external customers at milestone reviews.
• Experience with scripting for automation (e.g., Perl, Python, or equivalent) applied to mission operations products and workflows.
• Experience in on orbit script and procedure development.
• EVMs experience reporting to project management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional mission operations activities (rehearsals, LEOPS, OOT, or anomaly resolution).
• Experience with mission operations development of on orbit handbooks, operational procedure and script development.
• Support of readiness activities to include Mission Readiness Tests (MRTs), Mission Rehearsals (MRs), Day-In-The-Life (DITL), and daily operations testing.
• On console experience during a launch and early operations campaign.
• Familiarity with training and certification programs for space system operations.
• Knowledge of STOL programming language.