Software Architect - Level 5

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel opportunities

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Software Architect - Level 5 for our Space Sector in Redondo Beach, CA. You will lead software architecture for flight and ground systems, mentor teams, and drive end-to-end design across disciplines.

The role requires active SCI access, a strong STEM background, and hands-on experience with embedded C/C++ and RTOS like VxWorks. Relocation and clearances are part of the process.

Qualifications

• Active SCI access at time of application.
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 12+ years' experience.
• Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years' experience.
• PhD in STEM with 8+ years' experience.
• Experience leading a software team.
• Full‑cycle software development proficiency from requirements to testing.
• Background in software development, design and software architecture for complex systems.
• Experience with ground software and/or flight software development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical leader and software architect for flight and ground systems.
• Oversee program architecture including Flight and Ground Software with IPT teams.
• Guide, mentor, and align development teams through architectural decisions.
• Define, document, and evolve end-to-end software architectures.
• Produce documentation for software architecture, design, verification plans, and training materials.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Software architecture

Real-time OS (VxWorks)

Leadership

Agile software development

CI/CD (Jenkins)

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

Jenkins

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SCITRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.Northrop Grumman's Space Sector is seeking a Software Architect - Level 5 to join our team. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, CA.*Please be aware that this position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding and obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.What you'll get to do:Serve as a technical leader and software architect for flight and ground systems supporting space missions.Oversee the overall program architecture inclusive of Flight Software and Ground Software, working with engineers across IPT teams to define and guide design and architecture activities. Specifically, you will guide, mentor, and align development teams, helping them navigate complex technical roadblocks and architectural decisions.Consult on and lead technical solutioning, guiding the software architecture, technology selection, and verification planning in alignment with requirements.Define, document, and evolve end‑to‑end software architectures and lead multidisciplinary collaboration across Software engineering, Systems Engineering, Hardware, and Integration & Test.Perform technical planning and trade studies, analyzing performance, cost, risk, and supportability.Research, evaluate, and recommend new frameworks and tools to mitigate core technical risks.Drive system-wide trade-offs and scalability decisions, ensuring requirements are converted into total system solutions that balance technical, schedule, and cost constraints.Produce documentation for software architecture, design, verification plans, user documentation, and training materials, and develop and present technical briefings to internal leadership and customers.Close collaboration with team members of other projects within the organization for security architecture designs, as well as external partners and customers.The ideal candidate will have the ability to support the architecture, development, and lifecycle management of embedded and real-time systems. The candidate will be expected to understand system requirements and how they apply to system design. The candidate will have demonstrated ability to define and evolve software architectures and possess strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for complex systems.Basic Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 10 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in a STEM discipline with 8 years of relevant experienceMust have an active SCI access at the time of applicationExperience leading a software teamFull‑cycle software development proficiency from requirements to testingBackground in software development, design and software architecture for complex systemsExperience with ground software and/or flight software developmentPreferred Qualifications:Experience with Agile Software development practicesExpert level proficiency in embedded C/C++ developmentExtensive experience with real-time operating systems like VxWorksExperience with software development leveraging CI/CD pipeline tools such as JenkinsProficiency in creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle#SPEnhancedERAPPrimary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00The 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.