Operations Training Curriculum Designer/Instructor Level 3/4 - Colorado Springs

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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.

Ignite Your Career in Space Operations!
Northrop Grumman – Space Sector – Colorado Springs, CO

Who We’re Looking For

A visionary Operations Training Curriculum Designer/Instructor (Level 3 or Level 4) ready to shape the future of space missions. You’ll be the driving force behind cutting‑edge training that empowers both customers and internal teams to master the complexities of on‑orbit operations.

100 % onsite – this role is fully embedded in our Colorado Springs hub (no tele‑commute).

Why This Role Is a Game‑Changer

• Shape Mission Success: Design and deliver training that directly influences the performance of an active fleet of satellites.
• Be a Pioneer: Define the “art of the possible” from day one, turning ambitious concepts into actionable reality.
• Collaborate Across Borders: Work side‑by‑side with mission specialists, systems engineers, and customers from diverse backgrounds.
• Impact Generations: Contribute to secure, sustainable space operations that will benefit future explorers and industries.

Core Responsibilities:

What You’ll Do

• Curriculum Development:Create, manage, and maintain dynamic training products for mission operations.
• Scenario & Exercise Design: Build automated scenarios, mission exercises, and certification check‑rides for both customers and internal staff.
• Training Needs Analysis: Partner with Mission & Systems Leads to identify gaps, then craft training plans, reference guides, and evaluation tools.
• Operational Alignment: Ensure every curriculum element mirrors the latest on‑orbit checkout, commissioning, and primary mission procedures.
• Customer Interaction: Serve as the primary training liaison, delivering clear, impactful instruction to external partners.
• Standardization & Compliance: Support multiple programs, guaranteeing consistent, contract‑compliant delivery across the Software & Controls and Engineering division.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate with Training Leads to meet timelines, milestones, and quality standards.

What You Bring

• Expertise: Proven experience designing technical curricula for aerospace, defense, or high‑tech environments (Level 3/4 proficiency).
• Technical Acumen: Familiarity with satellite operations, mission‑critical software, and automated training platforms.
• Instructional Mastery: Ability to translate complex technical concepts into engaging, hands‑on learning experiences.
• Collaboration Skills: Comfortable working with cross‑functional teams and external customers, fostering trust and clarity.
• Detail‑Oriented Mindset: Precision in aligning training material with evolving operational documentation and mission requirements.
• Adaptability: Ready to juggle multiple programs while maintaining a consistent, high‑quality training standard.

What You’ll Experience

• Real‑World Impact: Your training will directly influence the success of active satellite missions already in orbit.
• Exciting Environment: A vibrant, on‑site campus in Colorado Springs where ideas turn into action.
• Diverse Network: Interact with engineers, mission planners, and customers from a broad spectrum of technical backgrounds.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities to expand your skill set across multiple programs and emerging technologies.

This position has the opportunity to work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off, depending on program needs.

Job responsibilities could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• On-Console Satellite Command and Control
• Satellite Vehicle telemetry analysis
• Contingency operations procedures
• Training material development IAW Instructional System Design processes
• Training delivery to customers in support of instructor led training events
• Training simulators/systems operations in support of training activities
• Ground System anomaly troubleshooting and resolution experience
• Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) experience
• RPO Mission Planning and Orbital Analysis Experience
• Experience w/ MS Office Suite products
• Other duties as assigned

Product deliveries include:  Lesson Plans, PowerPoint Presentations, Training Videos, Hands-on Training Scenarios, Test/Quizzes, Student Guides, Training Plans, and other training material as necessary to support contractual training requirements.

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.   
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access
• Simulation/scenario development experience
• Ability to conduct a range of modeling, simulation, and analysis in orbital maneuvers and orbit estimation
• Expertise in technical disciplines such as orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, modeling, simulation, and analysis
• Familiarity with astrodynamics tools, including FreeFlyer, System Tool Kit (STK), NASA General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), and Orbit Determination Toolbox (ODTBX)
• Advanced Orbital Mechanics knowledge and experience

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.   
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access
• Simulation/scenario development experience
• Ability to conduct a range of modeling, simulation, and analysis in orbital maneuvers and orbit estimation
• Expertise in technical disciplines such as orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, modeling, simulation, and analysis
• Familiarity with astrodynamics tools, including FreeFlyer, System Tool Kit (STK), NASA General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), and Orbit Determination Toolbox (ODTBX)
• Advanced Orbital Mechanics knowledge and experience

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Lesson plan development experience
• Simulation/scenario development experience
• Experience utilizing training development tools such as Camtasia or Adobe Captivate
• Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Mission Planning/Orbital Analyst Experience
• Advanced Orbital Mechanics knowledge and experience

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00

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.

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.

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.