Space Staff SEIT Lead

Northrop Grumman is a globally recognized aerospace and defense company known for its pioneering contributions to technological advancements that impact national security and space exploration. With a rich legacy of innovation, Northrop Grumman has been at the forefront of historic milestones such as the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, stealth bombers development, and the moon landing. This company thrives on a culture of intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and a relentless drive to achieve what others deem impossible. Employees at Northrop Grumman are not just participants in history; they are makers of history, engaged in revolutionary systems that impact lives worldwide today and for future generations.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems focuses on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for space missions, both classified and unclassified. The Eastern Region Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (ER-SEIT) division offers an immersive experience covering the entire space design lifecycle, from sensors and payloads to full spacecraft. This includes early mission concepts through on-orbit operational support for a variety of mission classes. The team works in an integrated environment that spans mission engineering, requirements management, architecture design, modeling and simulation, integration and test, verification, and validation to deliver cutting-edge space solutions.

The SEIT Lead role is a leadership position responsible for directing the overall systems engineering, integration, and test efforts on space programs. This includes managing horizontal and vertical integration across all engineering elements, ensuring the integrity of engineering processes, and timely development of key engineering deliverables. The SEIT Lead typically carries Control Account Manager (CAM) responsibilities, handling cost and schedule management for the SEIT work scope, and liaises closely with the Program Manager, Chief Engineer, System Architect, and customers.

In this position, the SEIT Lead will lead systems engineering tasks related to space subsystems, payloads, and/or vehicles. Key responsibilities include serving as the cost account manager for systems engineering and other organizational responsibilities, planning and executing the core engineering functions, and ensuring the project team has sufficiently qualified staff. The role involves leading the technical management and execution of the SE team, planning and managing program milestones (such as System Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, and Test Readiness Review), and maintaining system technical compliance with the Statement of Work and system requirements.

Further responsibilities encompass managing scope control, overseeing vertical and horizontal technical integration throughout the product teams and entire program lifecycle, handling configuration management for the program baseline, and acting as the technical liaison with customers. The SEIT Lead also monitors and reports program metrics and Technical Performance Measures, manages risk and opportunity, and tracks core engineering work products and dependencies within the program schedule.

This role demands coordination between technical leads, program managers, and customers to ensure technical baseline integrity and program executability. The SEIT Lead also serves as the primary technical working group leader, managing contractor coordination and cross-team technical interactions.

Candidates for this role must have an active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access. Educational qualifications range from a bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience to a PhD with 7 years in relevant technical fields such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, applied physics, or applied mathematics. Experience leading technical teams, development, integration, and testing in systems, and multi-disciplinary engineering exposure are essential. Strong communication skills and the ability to work on-site full-time in Linthicum, MD, are required.

Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees in STEM or technical management, risk and opportunity management expertise, familiarity with Earned Value Management Systems, experience with space sensor payloads such as radar, EO/IR, and communications, and experience working with large multi-site or multi-division teams.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $169,000 to $253,600, with additional compensation potentially including overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and long-term incentives for senior roles. Northrop Grumman provides comprehensive benefits including health, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation and personal business. The company prides itself on promoting equality and diversity and requires U.S. citizenship due to security clearance requirements.