Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer

0887 DS - Armament Systems; United States; On-site; USD 136,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman seeks a Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer to lead systems engineering across the program life cycle for armament systems. You will drive requirements, design, integration, verification, and validation in a matrixed, MBSE-driven environment.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, model-based engineering, and tool-driven optimization. Candidates should have 8+ years of engineering leadership, CBSE and Agile experience, and a U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
• Demonstrated cross-domain leadership in engineering‑focused organizations.
• Strong background in Agile development methodologies and MBSE.
• Experience with SysML, UAF, and AI-enhanced systems design.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across the lifecycle including requirements, design, integration, verification, and validation.
• Drive system architecture definition, requirements management, and design traceability in a MBSE context.
• Develop CONOPS and perform trade studies to optimize performance and risk across programs.
• Ensure quality, verification, and alignment with customer specifications and mission goals.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Agile methodologies

Cross-domain leadership

Model-based systems engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

PhD in Engineering

Tools

SysML

UAF

MBSE

PLE

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description At 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. The Systems Engineering function is at the forefront of program strategy, leading the creation, evolution, and maintenance of system architectures throughout the program lifecycle. We are seeking a visionary Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer with demonstrated experience leading systems engineering efforts across the program lifecycle. This role emphasizes matrixed leadership, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and model-based systems engineering to deliver innovative, robust armament programs. The successful candidate will lead comprehensive systems engineering activities—including requirements development, system performance analysis, integration, verification, and validation—while fostering a culture of technical excellence, adaptability, and innovation. This role is crucial to ensuring that armament systems are designed to meet technical specifications and function effectively in operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Implement Systems Engineering Leadership Across the Lifecycle Lead systems engineering activities spanning concept development, requirements definition, system design, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment. Act as a driver for cross-functional systems collaboration within a model-based engineering environment.
• 2. Drive System Design, Management, and Traceability Across the Lifecycle Drive the design and development of system architectures. Define key capabilities and performance requirements needed for the system of interest. Create and manage system requirements, specifications, and the requirements verification database to ensure comprehensive traceability throughout the development lifecycle. Negotiate and define performance objectives with stakeholders to ensure alignment of system requirements with program goals. Leverage advanced systems engineering processes, tools, and methodologies to establish alignment across technical performance criteria with both customers and stakeholders. Establish design and technology maturity constraints that align with customer specifications to ensure feasibility and reliability. Develop a comprehensive definition of the system’s external interfaces to facilitate integration with other systems. Outline the system implementation approach and operational concept, considering usability and effectiveness.
• 3. Enhance Systems Engineering Through Tools and Innovation Deploy and utilize cutting‑edge systems engineering tools to improve efficiency and adaptability, including automated requirements management, configuration matrices, and compliance verification solutions. Develop operational concepts (CONOPS) to align system architecture and design decisions with customer mission objectives. Facilitate trade studies, system sensitivity analyses, performance optimization, and assessments of emerging opportunities for improvement and innovation throughout the program lifecycle.
• 4. Deliver Excellence in System Verification and Quality Support efforts to ensure systems meet defined performance requirements, adhere to quality standards, and deliver on stakeholder expectations. Support verification and validation activities across systems, leveraging advanced simulation and analysis. Collaborate with systems engineers and customers to ensure that all requirements are met and that system performance is thoroughly evaluated.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Aerospace, Computer, Mechanical, or related discipline) 8+ years of related experience; or a Master’s degree in a related discipline and 6+ years of related experience; or a PhD in a related discipline and 4+ years of related experience. Demonstrated cross-domain leadership experience in engineering‑focused non‑profits or organizations. Strong background in Agile development methodologies. Experience leveraging systems engineering tools with embedded AI. Experience applying systems design principles using AI to develop and integrate advanced solutions. Experience designing, integrating, and verifying complex systems to align with design specifications and meet operational/mission requirements. Experience with model‑based systems engineering (MBSE). Expertise in systems engineering development using Product Line Engineering (PLE) principles and best practices. Experience with Systems Modeling Language (SysML). Experience with the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF). Must be a U.S. Citizen Ability to obtain a government secret clearance (not required to start).

Desired Qualifications

Leadership experience in systems‑of‑systems development and integration, effectively managing interfaces, interoperability, and dependencies across the program lifecycle. Proven capability to guide systems‑of‑systems architecture development and lifecycle management to achieve end‑to‑end mission success. Experience supporting trade studies and generating requirements to address affordability, performance, safety, reliability, maintainability, sustainability, and systems security objectives. Strong background in data analytics methodologies and tools to improve system insights and drive data‑informed decision‑making throughout program development. Experience with Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) / Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA). Experience in the aerospace and defense or healthcare industries. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (e.g., INCOSE CSEP/ESEP). Certification in a systems engineering modeling language (e.g., SysML, UAF).

Primary Level Salary Range

$135,800.00 - $203,600.00 The 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.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.