Distributed Systems - Senior Staff Systems Architect

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Staff Systems Architect in Baltimore, MD, onsite to support the Program Manager and Chief Engineer across major development programs. The role emphasizes system architecture authority, MBSE rigor, and alignment with roadmaps and KPIs.

Ideal candidates bring advanced degrees or equivalent experience, active security clearance (Secret/SAP as applicable), and the ability to collaborate across hardware, software, and firmware domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of experience, master’s with 12, or PhD with 10 in a technical field; 4 years may substitute for a degree.
• Current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
• Experience creating, evolving and maintaining system architecture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as authority for system architecture and design across programs.
• Lead tailoring of system requirement margins based on risk and KPPS.
• Maintain alignment between solution, roadmaps, and common components.
• Direct, manage, and oversee overall system architecture within the Distributed Systems Engineering group.

Skills

System architecture

MBSE modeling

Analytical thinking

Technical presentations

Team collaboration

DoD program experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree + equivalent experience

Tools

IBM Rational DOORS

Enterprise Architect

Cameo

Job description

Job Title and Location

Senior Staff Systems Architect – Baltimore, MD – Full‑time, onsite.

Job Summary

Northrop Grumman Mission System’s Engineering and Sciences (E&S) Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) Division seeks a Senior Staff Systems Architect to support the Program Manager and Chief Engineer on multiple major development programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as authority for system architecture and design, creating, evolving, and maintaining system architecture to meet operational needs while addressing cost, schedule, and risk.
• Tailor system requirement margins based on risk and ensure compliance with Key Performance Parameters (KPPs).
• Maintain alignment between the selected solution and relevant internal roadmaps, product lines, and common components.
• Lead and serve as the primary authority for system architecture and design within the Distributed Systems Engineering group.
• Direct, manage, and oversee the creation, evolution, and maintenance of the overall system architecture to meet operational needs.
• Proactively manage architectural decisions to ensure alignment with cost, schedule, and risk constraints.
• Lead the tailoring of system requirement margins based on risk assessments and ensure compliance with KPPs.
• Manage and maintain alignment between the selected solution and internal roadmaps, product lines, or common components, as applicable.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of experience, master’s degree with 12 years of experience, or PhD with 10 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields; an additional 4 years may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
• Experience creating, evolving and maintaining system architecture.
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in creating and delivering technical presentations to internal and external leadership.
• Experience working collaboratively on complex projects that encompass hardware, software, and firmware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or related technical fields.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance or higher.
• Experience in all aspects of the engineering process from proposal/requirements analysis through verification testing and fielding of systems.
• Experience in Design, Architecture development, Analysis, Systems Engineering, Integration and/or Test in one or more of the following specialty areas: EOIR systems, optics, threat analysis.
• Experience decomposing requirements for DoD‑based platforms or systems.
• Experience defining Concept of Operations (ConOps), KPPs, and associated Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) and Operational Concepts (OpsCon).
• Experience collaborating across programs and product lines.
• Demonstrated expertise in SysML modeling and MBSE tools (e.g., IBM Rational DOORS, Enterprise Architect, Cameo).
• Ability to develop and maintain system models, traceability matrices, and verification cross‑reference artifacts.
• Experience in development and Earned Value Management (EVM) of cost accounts and schedules.

Clearance Requirements

Requires a current U.S. Secret clearance; candidate must be able to obtain Special Program Access (SAP). U.S. citizenship is required. Existing clearance is not required, but a current/active clearance is part of the basic qualification.

Compensation and Benefits

• Health plan, savings plan, and paid time off.
• Additional benefits including education assistance, training and development, and 9/80 work schedule where available.

Equal Opportunity & EEO Statement

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.