
Systems Engineer - Level 2 or 3
Northrop Grumman · Aurora, CO
- On site
- Full-time
- $137,000 / year
- Aurora, CO
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Subject: Interested in the Systems Engineer - Level 2 or 3 role at Northrop Grumman
Hi Dana — I came across the Systems Engineer - Level 2 or 3 opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Northrop Grumman stood out because…
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Job highlights
- Lead software component architecture and implementation.
- Analyze and document system requirements for product family.
- Manage requirements traceability across artifacts.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams in Agile.
- Oversee system integration, validation, and verification.
About the role
About Northrop Grumman
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.Job Opportunity
Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) is looking for you to join our team as a Systems Engineer - Level 2 or 3 based out of Aurora, CO.Key Job Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture and implementation of reusable software components for a multi‑variant product line.
- Elicit, analyze, and document system‑level functional and non‑functional requirements for the entire product family.
- Maintain a traceability matrix linking requirements to design, implementation, and verification artifacts.
- Conduct requirement reviews with cross‑functional stakeholders (hardware, firmware, QA, product management) and drive consensus.
- Define, develop, and maintain ICDs for all hardware‑software and software‑software interfaces.
- Create detailed use‑case diagrams, activity flows, and sequence diagrams that capture user interactions and internal processes.
- Collaborate with Agile teams to translate requirements into user stories, backlog items, and sprint deliverables.
- Oversee integration testing, validation, and verification of system‑level functionality across product variants.
- Continuously assess and improve engineering processes, tooling, and documentation standards.
Qualifications
This requisition may be filled at a higher job grade based on the qualifications listed below. This requisition may be filled as either a level 2 or a level 3.Basic Qualifications For a Level 2
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 2 years of relevant experience; Master's degree and 0 years of experience
- Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Ability to elicit, analyze, and document system‑level requirements (functional & non‑functional).
- Experience with or knowledge of creating and managing traceability matrices linking requirements to design, code, and verification.
- Familiarity with interface control documents (ICDs) and experience defining hardware‑software and software‑software interfaces.
- Working knowledge of modeling languages/tools for use‑case, activity, and sequence diagrams.
- Experience working in or familiarity with Agile/Scrum environments, including backlog grooming and sprint planning.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work successfully with cross‑functional teams.
- Proficient in version‑control systems and collaborative development tools (Jira, Confluence, etc.).
Basic Qualifications For a Level 3
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of relevant experience; Master's degree and 3 years of experience; PhD and 0 years of relevant experience
- Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Ability to elicit, analyze, and document system‑level requirements (functional & non‑functional).
- Experience with or knowledge of creating and managing traceability matrices linking requirements to design, code, and verification.
- Familiarity with interface control documents (ICDs) and experience defining hardware‑software and software‑software interfaces.
- Working knowledge of modeling languages/tools for use‑case, activity, and sequence diagrams.
- Experience working in or familiarity with Agile/Scrum environments, including backlog grooming and sprint planning.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work successfully with cross‑functional teams.
- Proficient in version‑control systems and collaborative development tools (Jira, Confluence, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with families of products that share a common software platform (e.g., automotive, aerospace, medical devices).
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Certification in Systems Engineering (e.g., INCOSE CSEP) or Agile (e.g., CSM, SAFe).
- Familiarity with model‑based development (MBSE) and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler or IBM Rhapsody.
- Programming proficiency in C/C++, Python, or Rust for embedded development.
- Knowledge of safety and compliance standards (e.g., IEC 61508, ISO 26262, FDA 21 CFR 820).
- Experience with automated testing frameworks and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Compensation and Benefits
Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
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.
Application Period
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.Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
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.Key skills/competency
- Systems Engineering
- Requirements Analysis
- Software Architecture
- Agile Methodologies
- Interface Control Documents
- Use Case Diagrams
- Traceability Matrix
- Integration Testing
- Verification and Validation
- STEM Disciplines
Skills & topics
- Systems Engineer
- Requirements Analysis
- Software Architecture
- Agile
- Scrum
- Jira
- Confluence
- SCI Clearance
- STEM
- Aerospace
How to get hired
- Research Northrop Grumman's culture: Study their mission, values, recent news, and employee testimonials on LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with requirements analysis, Agile methodologies, and systems engineering, using keywords from the job description.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize your proficiency in version control, modeling tools, and any relevant programming languages.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving in technical environments.
- Obtain/Maintain Clearance: Ensure you meet the U.S. citizenship and SCI clearance requirements.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
- As a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman, you will lead software component architecture, analyze and document system requirements, maintain traceability matrices, define interface control documents, and collaborate with Agile teams for integration testing and verification.
- What are the educational and experience requirements for the Systems Engineer role?
- For Level 2, a Bachelor's in STEM with 2 years of experience is required. For Level 3, a Bachelor's in STEM with 5 years of experience is needed. Master's or PhD degrees can substitute for some experience. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain SCI clearance are mandatory.
- Does Northrop Grumman offer relocation assistance for this Systems Engineer position?
- No, relocation assistance is not available for this Systems Engineer position based in Aurora, CO.
- What is the salary range for the Systems Engineer position at Northrop Grumman?
- The primary salary range for this Systems Engineer role is $91,800.00 - $137,600.00, with a secondary range of $114,000.00 - $171,000.00, depending on the level and candidate qualifications.
- What kind of clearance is required for the Systems Engineer job?
- A Top Secret/SCI clearance is required for this Systems Engineer position. U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite for obtaining and maintaining this clearance.
- Is this a remote, hybrid, or on-site position for the Systems Engineer role?
- The Systems Engineer position is based in Aurora, CO, implying an on-site or potentially hybrid work arrangement, as remote work is not explicitly mentioned.
- What are the preferred qualifications for a Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman?
- Preferred qualifications include experience with product families, an active SCI clearance, Systems Engineering or Agile certifications, familiarity with MBSE tools, programming in C/C++, Python, or Rust, and knowledge of safety/compliance standards or CI/CD pipelines.
- How long is the application period for the Systems Engineer job?
- The application period is estimated to be around 20 days from the posting date, but this can be adjusted based on business needs and candidate availability.
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