Staff Data Architect/Scientist

Northrop Grumman; Roy (UT); On-site; USD 168,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Data Architect/Data Scientist in Roy, UT to design scalable data platforms and lead data analytics initiatives. The role requires building secure pipelines and applying advanced analytics to strategic programs.

You will mentor teams, define technical standards, and influence data technology adoption across the organization while coordinating with internal stakeholders on complex, high-impact projects.

Qualifications

• 12+ years with Bachelor’s in Science; 10+ years with Masters; 8+ years with PhD.
• Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a USG secret clearance and obtain a SAP (Special Access to Programs)
• Enterprise Scale Data Architectures and Platforms – Proven experience leading data integration across complex systems to include low-code data fabric platforms (e.g. Palantir Foundry, Databricks Lakehouse, Microsoft Fabric, IBM Watsonx.data, Denodo) for large-scale analytics.
• Data Modeling – Strong experience with data modeling and architecture patterns in cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
• Outcome Oriented – Ability to translate data architecture into measurable outcomes (e.g. cost, schedule, performance, decision velocity)
• Digital/Data Modernization – Experience linking data into Digital Threads, and supporting AI/ML data pipelines.
• Programming Proficiency – Strong command of Python, R, or Scala, and experience with big data platforms such as Databricks, Qlik, Cloudera, Hadoop, Spark, or Snowflake.

Responsibilities

• Strategic roadmap: Translate business the Chief Data Officers Data and AI Strategy into an executable design
• Common Data Platform Design: Design the data platform that makes data trustworthy, usable, and scalable across the SDS division
• Scalable, secure pipelines: Build resilient big‑data pipelines (Spark, Flink, Snowflake, etc.) that meet security classifications, privacy regulations, and governance standards.
• Advanced analytics leadership: Champion modern statistical, machine‑learning, and deep‑learning methods (e.g., Bayesian inference, causal‑impact analysis) to solve high‑visibility problems and deliver competitive advantage.
• Technical authority: Define and enforce standards for model validation, reproducibility, observability, and continuous delivery of analytic products.
• Team mentorship: Provide hands‑on guidance and career development for data scientists, engineers, and analysts, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovation.
• Change influence & liaison: Drive adoption of emerging data‑technologies, promote data‑centric decision‑making

Skills

Python

R

Scala

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Databricks

Qlik

Cloudera

Hadoop

Spark

Snowflake

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Staff Data Architect/Data Scientist. This position will be located at Roy, UT and will support the Sentinel program.

What you'll get to do:

Creates data mining architectures/models/protocols, statistical reporting, and data analysis methodologies to identify trends in large data sets. Analysis may have many applications such as to address a business issue or provide a competitive advantage for the organization. Requires strong statistical and data visualization skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability LRSP/AOP critical skill usually demonstrated. Applies creativity and vision for the future that require synthesis of related disciplines. Provides teams with internal and external knowledge of the technical industry and how it impacts the company. Serves as an expert for a significant technical area within the team. Problem Solving Demonstrates mastery of scientific theory and/or considerable innovation in identifying alternative approaches to problems. Regularly takes a leadership role in providing insight and knowledge transfer to others on internal and external technical solutions to solve complex problems. Discretion/Latitude Serves as an authority on scientific principles and broad technical areas. Demonstrated ability to formally present technical solutions to senior leadership. Known as an influencer of change. Impact Provides technical leadership, direction and mentoring to other technical employees in the application of scientific principles, tools and techniques to achieve practical end results. Develops advanced technological ideas and guides their development into a final product that has a direct impact on the sector. Contributes to priority initiatives critical to achievement of AOP and LRSP objectives. Serves as a mentor. Liaison Serves as organization spokesperson on multiple advanced projects and/or programs that have a direct impact on the sector (both technical and non-technical). Acts as advisor to management, co-workers and customers on advanced technical research studies and applications. Maintains critical external customer contact to understand their technical needs.

What you will get to do:

• Strategic roadmap: Translate business the Chief Data Officers Data and AI Strategy into an executable design

• Strategic roadmap: Translate business the Chief Data Officers Data and AI Strategy into an executable design

• Common Data Platform Design: Design the data platform that makes data trustworthy, usable, and scalable across the SDS division

• Scalable, secure pipelines: Build resilient big‑data pipelines (Spark, Flink, Snowflake, etc.) that meet security classifications, privacy regulations, and governance standards.

• Advanced analytics leadership: Champion modern statistical, machine‑learning, and deep‑learning methods (e.g., Bayesian inference, causal‑impact analysis) to solve high‑visibility problems and deliver competitive advantage.

• Technical authority: Define and enforce standards for model validation, reproducibility, observability, and continuous delivery of analytic products.

• Team mentorship: Provide hands‑on guidance and career development for data scientists, engineers, and analysts, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovation.

• Change influence & liaison: Drive adoption of emerging data‑technologies, promote data‑centric decision‑making

Basic Qualifications:

Typical Minimum Education or Experience

• T05: 12 Years with Bachelors in Science; 10 Years with Masters; 8 Years with PhD.
• Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a USG secret clearance and obtain a SAP (Special Access to Programs)
• Enterprise Scale Data Architectures and Platforms – Proven experience leading data integration across complex, heterogeneous systems to include low-code data fabric platforms (e.g. Palantir Foundry, Databricks Lakehouse, Microsoft Fabric, IBM Watsonx.data, Denodo, etc) for large-scale analytics.
• Data Modeling – Strong experience with data modeling and architecture patterns in cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
• Outcome Oriented – Ability to translate data architecture into measurable outcomes (e.g. cost, schedule, performance, decision velocity)
• Digital/Data Modernization – Experience linking data into Digital Threads, and supporting AI/ML data pipelines.
• Programming Proficiency – Strong command of Python, R, or Scala, and experience with big data platforms such as Databricks, Qlik, Cloudera, Hadoop, Spark, or Snowflake.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thought Leadership & Vision – Recognized as a subject matter expert who can synthesize multiple disciplines, anticipate future data analytics trends, and influence the organization’s long term strategy.
• Problem Solving Innovation – Track record of developing novel analytical approaches or algorithms that have solved complex, high impact business problems.
• Technical Leadership – Experience providing direction, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to multidisciplinary teams; ability to lead technical discussions and guide junior staff toward best practices.
• Executive Communication – Comfortable presenting sophisticated analytical findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and external stakeholders, translating technical concepts into clear business value.
• Change Management Influence – History of acting as an influencer of change—driving adoption of new data architectures, standards, or analytical frameworks across the enterprise.
• Cross Functional Liaison – Ability to serve as a spokesperson on advanced projects, acting as an advisor to management, peers, and customers, and maintaining critical external contacts to capture emerging technical needs.
• Advanced Certifications (preferred) – Certifications such as AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty, Google Professional Data Engineer, or equivalent industry credentials.
• Domain Expertise – Experience within defense, aerospace, or related high security environments is highly desirable, particularly in handling classified or sensitive data assets.

Primary Level Salary Range: $168,200.00 - $252,200.00

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.

Job Category: Research and Sciences