Northrop Grumman jobs in Colorado Springs in 2026: Space Force, Schriever, and defense careers

Colorado Springs has become one of the most concentrated defense and space hubs in the country. The city hosts U.S. Space Command, Space Operations Command, the Space Force's Space Systems Command presence, NORAD, and a dense ecosystem of defense contractors supporting these missions. Northrop Grumman maintains a significant and growing workforce in the region, with most positions tied to space surveillance, missile warning, satellite operations, and command-and-control systems — all operating under the United States Space Force.

In 2026, there are approximately 100 open Northrop Grumman positions in the Colorado Springs area across engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and program management. This guide breaks down the major programs, role categories, salary expectations, and what it takes to build a defense career in the Pikes Peak region.

Major programs in Colorado Springs

FROST (Front Range Operations and Sustainment Team)

The FROST program is one of Northrop Grumman's largest contracts at Schriever Space Force Base. The team provides operations and sustainment support for multiple space-based systems critical to national security. FROST encompasses software engineering, systems administration, satellite operations, and facility management roles.

Active FROST hiring in 2026:

• Sr. Principal Software Engineer ($124,900–$187,300)
• Facilities Management Specialist
• Cybersecurity Systems Engineer
• Operations Technician

NOALS (NRO Operations and Launch Support)

The NOALS contract supports National Reconnaissance Office operations at Schriever Space Force Base. Orbit analysts, systems engineers, and operations specialists work on classified satellite missions that provide intelligence capabilities to the national security community.

Next-Gen OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared)

Northrop Grumman is developing the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared polar-orbiting satellites, known as Next-Gen Polar (NGP). These satellites will succeed the legacy SBIRS system and provide missile warning coverage over the northern hemisphere. While the primary development occurs at other Northrop Grumman facilities, the Colorado Springs area supports ground systems integration and operational testing.

Space Surveillance and Tracking

Multiple contracts support the Space Force's space domain awareness mission, including tracking objects in orbit, characterizing potential threats, and providing data to military and intelligence customers.

Role categories and salary ranges

Role	Level	2026 Base Salary	Clearance
Software Engineer	T2–T3	**$89,000–$135,000**	TS/SCI
Sr. Principal Software Engineer	T4–T5	**$124,900–$187,300**	TS/SCI + Poly
Systems Engineer	T2–T4	**$92,000–$165,000**	TS/SCI
Orbital Analyst	T2–T3	**$85,000–$130,000**	TS/SCI + Poly
Cybersecurity Engineer	T2–T4	**$95,000–$160,000**	TS/SCI
Operations Technician	T1–T2	**$65,000–$92,000**	TS/SCI
Program Manager	Level 2–3	**$130,000–$195,000**	TS/SCI
Facilities Specialist	T1–T2	**$60,000–$85,000**	Secret / TS
RF/Communications Engineer	T3–T4	**$110,000–$165,000**	TS/SCI
Intelligence Analyst	T2–T3	**$88,000–$130,000**	TS/SCI + Poly

The most notable pattern across Colorado Springs roles is the near-universal requirement for TS/SCI clearance. Many positions at Schriever also require a full-scope polygraph, which is one of the highest clearance levels in the defense industry. This requirement dramatically narrows the applicant pool and creates a structural salary premium for cleared professionals.

Clearance requirements and the polygraph factor

Almost every Northrop Grumman position in Colorado Springs requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance. Positions supporting NRO programs or certain Space Force missions frequently add a polygraph requirement on top of TS/SCI.

What this means for candidates:

• If you already hold a TS/SCI with polygraph, you are in extremely high demand and can expect offers at the top of salary ranges
• Northrop Grumman will sponsor clearance upgrades for existing Secret holders, but the timeline (twelve to eighteen months for TS/SCI, additional months for polygraph) means planning ahead is essential
• Transitioning military and intelligence community personnel with existing clearances have a significant advantage
• The clearance premium in Colorado Springs adds an estimated 15–25% to base salary compared to equivalent uncleared technical roles in other industries

Colorado Springs cost of living

Colorado Springs offers a meaningfully lower cost of living compared to other major Northrop Grumman locations, particularly the Southern California sites.

Category	Colorado Springs	Redondo Beach, CA	Falls Church, VA
Median home price	**$440,000**	$1,150,000	$780,000
State income tax	4.4% flat	Up to 13.3%	Up to 5.75%
Average rent (2BR)	$1,650	$3,200	$2,600
Cost of living index	103	187	152

The combination of competitive defense salaries and moderate cost of living makes Colorado Springs one of the strongest markets for purchasing power among Northrop Grumman locations. A systems engineer earning $140,000 in Colorado Springs has meaningfully more disposable income than someone earning the same base in California or Northern Virginia.

The city itself offers outdoor recreation that few defense hubs can match — Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails are minutes from most residential neighborhoods. The region also has a strong school system and a growing technology sector beyond defense.

Competitors in the Colorado Springs market

Northrop Grumman competes for cleared talent in Colorado Springs with several other major defense contractors and government agencies.

• Lockheed Martin — largest defense employer in Colorado, with significant space operations in the Springs
• Raytheon (RTX) — missile defense and intelligence programs
• L3Harris Technologies — space and intelligence systems
• Boeing — satellite ground systems and space programs
• SAIC and Leidos — IT services and intelligence support contracts
• United States Space Force (direct hire) — civilian GS positions compete with contractor salaries

This competitive landscape means that Northrop Grumman must price its Colorado Springs offers competitively. Cleared professionals with in-demand skills (software engineering, cybersecurity, orbital mechanics, RF engineering) can often negotiate between multiple offers.

How to apply

All Colorado Springs positions are posted on jobs.northropgrumman.com. Filter by location (Colorado Springs, CO) or by installation (Schriever AFB/SFB). LinkedIn also shows 50+ Northrop Grumman positions in the Colorado Springs area at any given time.

For engineering roles, expect a technical interview focused on domain-specific knowledge (space systems, orbital mechanics, cybersecurity frameworks, or software development depending on the role). Behavioral interviews assess teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, and the ability to operate in a classified environment.

For a broader perspective on compensation across all Northrop Grumman locations, see our Northrop Grumman pay scale guide for 2026. If you are considering other Northrop Grumman space-focused locations, check out our guides to Northrop Grumman San Jose and Northrop Grumman San Diego jobs.

Frequently asked questions

How many Northrop Grumman jobs are open in Colorado Springs right now?

As of early 2026, there are approximately 100 open Northrop Grumman positions in the Colorado Springs area, with the majority based at or near Schriever Space Force Base. New requisitions are added regularly as program demands evolve.

Do all Colorado Springs positions require a TS/SCI clearance?

The vast majority do. Some facilities and administrative support roles may only require a Secret clearance, but engineering, operations, and cybersecurity positions almost universally require TS/SCI. Many positions supporting NRO programs also require a polygraph.

What is the FROST program at Schriever Space Force Base?

FROST (Front Range Operations and Sustainment Team) is a major Northrop Grumman contract providing operations, sustainment, and engineering support for space-based national security systems at Schriever SFB. It encompasses software engineering, systems administration, satellite operations, cybersecurity, and facility management roles.

How does Northrop Grumman pay in Colorado Springs compare to other defense contractors?

Northrop Grumman's Colorado Springs salaries are competitive with Lockheed Martin, RTX, and L3Harris in the same market. For cleared professionals, salaries tend to be within 5–10% across major contractors, with differences often coming down to specific program budgets, bonus structures, and benefits. The combination of Northrop Grumman's 401(k) match (75% on first 8%) and potential pension eligibility can make the total rewards package highly competitive.

Can I transfer to Colorado Springs from another Northrop Grumman location?

Yes. Northrop Grumman's internal mobility program allows employees to apply for positions at any company location after twelve months in their current role. Transferring to Colorado Springs from a California or Virginia location is common and the company may provide relocation assistance for approved transfers.