Software Engineer (3/4) – Mission Planning & Scheduling (MPS) AHT

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Planning & Scheduling (MPS) Ground Software team is seeking a Software Engineer (3/4) to support development and sustainment of satellite mission-planning capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver full-stack development across OS, platform, and mission-unique software layers for space mission ground systems.
• Develop mission planning and scheduling capabilities, including contact/passes planning and schedule generation.
• Build planning functions for activity and resource scheduling across satellites and ground systems.
• Integrate ephemeris, constraints, and operations rules into mission planning tools.
• Create client and server applications and services using service- or object-oriented architectures with message-bus-based data exchange.
• Develop first-of-a-kind capabilities supporting satellite operations.
• Build and integrate applications using Python and C++.
• Build and integrate applications using PostgreSQL/Postgres.
• Build and integrate using Ansible and cloud infrastructure provisioning.
• Build and integrate capabilities using PKI and security-focused tooling.
• Apply static code analysis tools and remediation workflows.
• Coordinate with astrodynamics and mission operations teams to incorporate trajectory, ephemeris, and constraints data into planning software and workflows.
• Support operations ground software and associated configurations, including troubleshooting software issues and hardware impacting ground software.
• Investigate and resolve issues in mission planning and scheduling services used by operations teams.
• Support Acceptance Test events by executing test procedures.
• Support Acceptance Test events through test automation and validation of mission planning and scheduling functions.
• Configure and deploy ground segment software, including installation of new ground segment and MPS software in operational, development, and test environments.
• Resolve and remediate software defects during configuration and deployment.
• Implement software enhancements as directed by customer change requests or mission needs.
• Provide ground software support during launch and launch rehearsal events, with focus on MPS functions supporting LEOP and early operations.
• Act as a self-starter who can make technical decisions with budget and schedule in mind.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 5 years of experience; OR Master’s degree and 3 years; OR 1 year with PhD.
• Demonstrated software development experience.
• Experience in Python application development.
• Experience in C++.
• Experience in Bash scripting.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Current or active Top Secret clearance is required at the time of application.
• Alternative experience may be considered in lieu of degree: additional 4 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong preference for Top Secret with SCI eligibility or current SCI.
• Experience with satellite ground systems and/or mission planning & scheduling for space missions.
• Familiarity with astrodynamics/orbital mechanics/satellite operations and tools such as FreeFlyer and STK.
• Experience supporting launch and early orbit operations (LEOP).
• Experience supporting on-orbit operations, contact planning, or schedule generation.
• Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automation in an operational ground software environment.

Technologies

• Python
• C++
• PostgreSQL/Postgres
• Ansible
• PKI
• Bash
• FreeFlyer
• STK

Clearance / Travel / Location

• Location: Dulles, VA (onsite)
• Clearance required for start: Yes
• Clearance type: Top Secret
• Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Assistance

• Relocation assistance may be available

Compensation

• Salary range (Primary level): USD 114,000 - 171,000 per yearly
• Salary range (Secondary level): USD 142,200 - 213,400 per yearly

Benefits and Compensation Notes

• Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
• Annual bonuses designed to reward individual contributions and share in company results.
• Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Northrop Grumman provides health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, Company paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

Additional Eligibility Requirement

• U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.