Distributed Systems - Staff Systems Architect

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 169,000 - 253,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance and Training &amp

9/80 Work Schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Systems Architect in Baltimore, MD, to serve as the system architecture authority across major development programs. Requiring US citizenship and a current Secret clearance, the role supports PM and Chief Engineer and involves coordinating hardware, software, and firmware integration.

The position emphasizes MBSE, SysML modeling, and cross‑functional collaboration to balance cost, schedule, and risk while aligning with program roadmaps and KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years of experience, a master’s degree with 10 years of experience, or a PhD with 8 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.
• Experience delivering technical presentations to internal and external leadership.
• Experience collaborating on complex projects encompassing hardware, software, and firmware.

Responsibilities

• Lead and serve as the primary authority for system architecture and design in the Distributed Systems Engineering group.
• Create, evolve, and maintain the overall system architecture to meet operational needs while balancing cost, schedule, and risk.
• Proactively manage architectural decisions to ensure alignment with cost, schedule, and risk constraints.
• Tailor system requirements margins based on risk assessments and ensure compliance with KPPs.
• Maintain alignment between the selected solution and internal roadmaps, product lines, and common components.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams on hardware, software, and firmware integration.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years of experience

Master’s degree with 10 years of experience

PhD with 8 years of experience

Tools

SysML modeling

MBSE tools

IBM Rational DOORS

Enterprise Architect

Cameo

Job description

Staff Systems Architect – Baltimore, MD

Relocation assistance: May be available
Clearance required for start: Yes
Clearance type: Secret
Travel: Yes, 10% of the time

An opportunity to design revolutionary systems that impact people worldwide. The Staff Systems Architect will support the Program Manager and Chief Engineer as the system architecture authority on multiple major development programs.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Lead and serve as the primary authority for system architecture and design in the Distributed Systems Engineering group.
• Create, evolve, and maintain the overall system architecture to meet operational needs while balancing cost, schedule, and risk.
• Proactively manage architectural decisions to ensure alignment with cost, schedule, and risk constraints.
• Tailor system requirements margins based on risk assessments and ensure compliance with Key Performance Parameters (KPPs).
• Maintain alignment between the selected solution and internal roadmaps, product lines, and common components, as applicable.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams on hardware, software, and firmware integration.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years of experience, a master’s degree with 10 years of experience, or a PhD with 8 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 delivering technical presentations to internal and external leadership.
• Experience collaborating on complex projects encompassing hardware, software, and firmware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related fields.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance or higher.
• Experience in engineering processes from proposal/requirements analysis through verification testing and fielding.
• Experience in Design, Architecture development, Analysis, Systems Engineering, Integration and/or Test in areas such as EOIR systems, optics, threat analysis.
• Experience decomposing requirements for DoD‑based platforms or systems.
• Experience defining ConOps, KPPs, TPMs, 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 with Earned Value Management (EVM) of cost accounts and schedules.

Benefits

• Health Plan
• Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Education Assistance and Training & Development
• 9/80 Work Schedule (where available)

Compensation

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 – $253,600.00. Overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and potential long‑term incentives may apply based on role and performance.

EEO Statement

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make 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 Northrop Grumman EEO.