# Northrop Grumman Building 2: Sterling, VA space systems facility (2026)

**Author:** Zero G Talent
**Published:** 2026-02-28
**Category:** career-guides
**Tags:** northrop-grumman, space, aerospace, defense, systems-engineering

[Read on Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com/blog/northrop-grumman-building-2-2026)

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# Northrop Grumman Building 2: Sterling, VA space systems facility (2026)

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    <div class="blog-stat-value">Sterling, VA</div>
    <div class="blog-stat-label">Location</div>
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    <div class="blog-stat-value">Space Systems</div>
    <div class="blog-stat-label">Division</div>
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    <div class="blog-stat-value">Orbital Heritage</div>
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Building 2 is part of Northrop Grumman's Space Systems campus at 45201 Warp Drive in Sterling, Virginia — the former Orbital Sciences Corporation headquarters that became Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems after the $7.8B acquisition in 2018.

## What happens at the Sterling campus

The Sterling/Dulles campus is the heritage home of Orbital Sciences' spacecraft and launch vehicle programs:

- **Cygnus cargo spacecraft** — Autonomous resupply missions to the ISS
- **Pegasus** — Air-launched small satellite rocket
- **Minotaur** — ICBM-derived small launch vehicles for DoD
- **Antares** — Medium-lift launch vehicle (now transitioning)
- **Space components** — Bus systems, propulsion, and mission operations

## Jobs at this facility

| Role | Salary Range |
|------|-------------|
| Systems Engineer | $100,000–$160,000 |
| Software Engineer | $95,000–$155,000 |
| Spacecraft Integration | $85,000–$140,000 |
| Program Manager | $120,000–$180,000 |
| Mission Operations | $80,000–$130,000 |

The DC area locality rate (34% for federal comparisons) drives higher salaries, but Northern Virginia cost of living is significant.

## How to apply

Search northropgrumman.com/careers filtered by "Sterling, VA" or "Dulles, VA." Most positions require U.S. citizenship; many require Secret or TS clearance for programs with government customers.

Browse [Northrop Grumman positions on Zero G Talent](/space-jobs-at-northrop-grumman), or see our [NG careers guide](/blog/northrop-grumman-careers-2026) and [NG internship guide](/blog/internships-northrop-grumman-2026).


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*Source: [Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com), the job board for space, defense, AI, robotics and frontier-tech companies.*