Staff Software Systems Architect

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Software Engineer / System Architect to lead the architecture and technical direction of distributed software for the EO/IBCS program in Huntsville, AL. You will shape interfaces, data flows, and system views, mentoring teams to implement robust, scalable solutions.

The role demands deep Java and C++ expertise, strong systems engineering background, and experience with IAMD/EO concepts.

Qualifications

• Hands-on software development in Java and C++ is required.
• Experience designing and implementing complex distributed systems.
• Strong background in system architecture, decomposition, data/interface modeling.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical leader and staff-level architect for IBCS Engagement Operations software.
• Define, evolve, and maintain system and software architectures for complex, distributed mission systems.
• Lead requirements analysis, allocation, and traceability from mission needs to software components.
• Develop and maintain architecture artifacts, including system views, data models, and ICDs.
• Perform architectural trade studies to balance capability, performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Partner with systems and software teams to define interfaces and data flows across sensors, C2, and missions.
• Guide implementation teams on Java and C++ design patterns and integration approaches.
• Support integration and test by defining configurations and troubleshooting issues.
• Lead and participate in technical reviews, presenting decisions and options to leadership and customers.
• Translate CONOPS into architectural decisions and system capabilities.

Skills

Java

C++

Distributed software

System architecture

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related STEM

Master's degree in related STEM

Tools

ICDs

Job description

Relocation Assistance

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

Clearance

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

Travel

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description

About Northrop Grumman

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.

At Northrop Grumman, employees work on revolutionary systems that shape lives around the world today and for generations to come. Our inventive spirit has placed us at the forefront of major technological advances in our nation's history-from early transatlantic flight to stealth bombers and lunar missions. We seek people with bold ideas, courage, and a pioneering mindset to help invent the future. Our culture values intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work, with an unrelenting drive to achieve what others consider impossible. Our employees aren't just part of history-they're making it.

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Staff Software Engineer / System Architect to join the Global C2 Solutions Business Unit in Huntsville, Alabama, supporting the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) Engagement Operations (EO) Agile Release Team.

In this role, you will lead the architecture, design, and technical direction of complex, distributed software systems that enable EO capabilities such as engagement planning and scheduling, threat evaluation, target selection, battlespace prediction, and sensor resource management. The ideal candidate combines deep Java and C++ expertise with IAMD Engagement Operations experience and a strong systems engineering background. You will work closely with systems, software, test, and operations teams to ensure the architecture meets mission needs and supports future growth.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical leader and staff‑level architect for IBCS Engagement Operations software.
• Define, evolve, and maintain system and software architectures for complex, distributed mission systems.
• Lead requirements analysis, allocation, and traceability from mission and user needs to software components and interfaces.
• Develop and maintain architecture artifacts, including system views, data models, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Perform architectural trade studies and analyses of alternatives to balance capability, performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Partner with systems and software teams to define interfaces, data flows, and integration patterns across sensors, C2, and mission applications.
• Guide implementation teams on Java and C++ design patterns, coding practices, and integration approaches aligned with the architecture.
• Support integration and test by helping define configurations, troubleshoot complex issues, and verify system behavior against the architecture and requirements.
• Lead and participate in technical reviews, presenting architecture, design decisions, and trade-offs to leadership and customers.
• Work with operators, analysts, and other stakeholders to translate operational concepts and CONOPS into architectural decisions and system capabilities.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, fostering strong systems thinking and architectural discipline.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM discipline and typically 10+ years of relevant experience; or
• Master's degree in a related STEM discipline and typically 8+ years of relevant experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required, with the ability to obtain and maintain higher-level clearance as program needs dictate.
• Extensive hands‑on software development experience in both Java and C++.
• Experience designing and implementing complex, distributed software systems.
• Strong background in system architecture, including system decomposition, data and interface modeling, and architectural trade studies.
• Experience with software integration and testing, including diagnosing and resolving complex system-level issues.
• Experience supporting Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) or comparable complex defense or command-and-control systems.
• Demonstrated experience with Engagement Operations (EO), including one or more of: engagement planning and scheduling, threat