Sr Staff Systems Architect Engineer (Solutions PO) (26-304)

Northrop Grumman; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 175,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Training and Development

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration seeks a Sr Staff Systems Architect Engineer (Solutions PO) based in Colorado Springs, CO or Huntsville, AL. This role focuses on shaping the C2BMC architecture and backlog, aligning with DoD objectives and mission priorities.

You'll translate high‑level needs into hardware/software solutions, lead architectural reviews, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate across a multi‑company team to ensure compliant, testable, and implementable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
• 14 years of experience; or a Master’s degree with 12 years; or a PhD with 10 years.
• Active Secret security clearance required to start.
• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering or solutions architecture on defense programs.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture backlog for C2BMC solutions and prioritize features.
• Define operational, physical, functional, and technical architectures.
• Translate mission needs into integrated hardware/software solutions.
• Develop and maintain system models, ICDs, data models, and flow diagrams.
• Lead design reviews and mentor junior engineers.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure implementable architectures.

Skills

Security clearance

DoD interoperability

Architectural leadership

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in CS/ENG/Systems

14+ years experience or 12+ with MS

Tools

SysML

Enterprise Architect

MagicDraw/Cameo

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

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.

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for a Sr Staff Systems Architect Engineer (Solutions PO) (26-304) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, or Huntsville, AL, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels.

This position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options.

The C2BMC program is a key component of the Missile Defense System (MDS). It enables the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and Combatant Commanders at strategic, regional, and tactical levels to plan missile defense operations, monitor the battle, and dynamically employ networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission objectives. C2BMC delivers layered missile defense capabilities and serves as a force multiplier by connecting, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems worldwide.

This role sits at the heart of an integrated solutions architecture and systems engineering effort, working on a multi-company team to define the operational, physical, functional, and technical architectures that shape an evolving C2BMC capability. As the Product Owner for the architecture, you will own the backlog of architecture artifacts, prioritize capability delivery, and ensure that each increment aligns with stakeholder expectations and mission priorities. You will architect missile defense command-and-control and battle management systems, leveraging existing COTS/GOTS components while ensuring full DoD interoperability.

A core responsibility is turning high-level mission needs into cohesive hardware/software solutions: analyzing requirements, articulating desired capabilities to developers, engineers, subject matter experts (SMEs), and users, and producing and maintaining system models, interface control documents, and functional flow diagrams. You will design and develop new systems, modernize legacy platforms, drive the roadmap for architectural evolution, lead portions of the design effort, and support internal and external design reviews with clear written and oral technical presentations.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the architecture Product Owner for C2BMC solutions, owning the architecture backlog, prioritizing features and capabilities, and ensuring alignment with stakeholder and mission needs
• Work with a multi-company, cross-functional team to define operational, physical, functional, and technical architectures for evolving C2BMC capabilities
• Architect missile defense command and control and battle management systems that leverage COTS/GOTS components while ensuring compliance with DoD interoperability standards and constraints
• Translate high-level mission and operational needs into integrated hardware/software solutions, including clear requirements, capability descriptions, and architectural views
• Develop, maintain, and communicate key architecture artifacts such as system models, interface control documents (ICDs), data models, and functional flow diagrams
• Design and support modernization of legacy platforms, driving the roadmap for architectural evolution and technology insertion while considering TRL, risk, and lifecycle impacts
• Lead portions of the design effort and support or chair internal and external design reviews, providing clear, concise technical content and recommendations
• Collaborate closely with developers, engineers, SMEs, and system users to ensure architectures are implementable, testable, and aligned with program schedules and constraints
• Define and refine acceptance criteria for architectural releases, ensuring that delivered increments meet stakeholder expectations and are technically sound
• Contribute to the development and refinement of system test concepts and data analysis approaches that validate architectural performance and mission effectiveness
• Mentor junior engineers in systems architecture methods, modeling practices, and product ownership techniques, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration

Basic Qualifications

Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 14 years of experience; or a Master’s degree (preferred) in a related field with 12 years of relevant work experience; or a PhD in a related discipline along with 10 years of experience
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government‑issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start
• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering, solutions architecture, or closely related roles on complex defense or command‑and‑control programs
• Proven ability to work effectively in a multi‑company, cross‑functional team environment with competing priorities and evolving mission needs
• Strong written and oral communication skills; able to prepare and deliver clear, persuasive technical presentations and documentation
• Deep understanding of DoD and missile defense C2BMC architectures, system concepts, and standard test and data analysis techniques
• Ability to identify, define, and communicate desired capabilities to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Proficiency in creating architecture artifacts such as functional diagrams, interface definitions, and data models
• Structured, logical analytical approach to refining high‑level needs into integrated hardware/software solutions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; skilled at delivering concise, persuasive technical presentations to senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated capability to lead complex architecture activities, mentor junior team members, and drive cross‑functional alignment across engineering, test, and operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive track record designing, developing, and integrating complex command and control (C2) or battle management solutions
• Strong foundation in systems architecture, leveraging frameworks such as DoDAF, MODAF, or TOGAF to translate mission requirements into complete, technology‑ready system solutions while respecting TRL and program constraints
• Regular experience participating in internal and external design reviews, producing architecture models and guidelines that steer both current initiatives and future development
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder priorities and define acceptance criteria for each architectural release
• Certified Product Owner (e.g., SAFe® POPM, CSPO, or equivalent)
• Certified Architect (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) or equivalent demonstrated expertise
• Experience integrating COTS/GOTS components and applying DoD interoperability standards such as MAUD and STANAG
• Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., SysML, Enterprise Architect, MagicDraw/Cameo)
• Prior work on missile defense or other high‑threat, high‑availability command and control programs

What We Can Offer You

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that encourages your growth, benefiting both employees and the company. The benefits are flexible and customizable, enabling you to choose options that suit your individual and family needs. Your benefits will include the following:

• Health Plan
• Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Education Assistance
• Training and Development
• Flexible Work Arrangements

https://benefits.northropgrumman.com/us/en2/BenefitsOverview/Pages/default.aspx

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Primary Level Salary Range: $175,300.00 - $262,900.00

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.