Staff System Architect

Northrop Grumman; Rolling Meadows (IL); On-site; USD 169,000 - 253,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance coverage

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff System Architect for the Rolling Meadows, IL site. This full-time role involves system architecture responsibilities, requiring a BS degree with 12+ years of experience or equivalent qualifications. Candidates must have strong analytical skills and the ability to obtain U.S. Government Secret Clearance. The position offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities in a culture promoting innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience for BS, 10+ years for MS, or 8+ years for PhD in related experience.
• 5+ years in engineering roles at a defense contractor.
• Ability to hold a U.S. Government Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Owns system architecture and design for operational needs.
• Maintains alignment with internal roadmaps and product lines.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Technical presentation

Collaboration

Education

BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Physics or other STEM field

MS degree in STEM field

PhD in STEM field

Tools

SysML modeling

MBSE tools (e.g., IBMRationalDOORS, EnterpriseArchitect, Cameo)

Job description

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance may be 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.

We are seeking capable, talented, and motivated team-contributors at our Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows site. Our products range from advanced sensing technologies to state-of-the-art targeting and tracking systems that are deployed in Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) and Radio Frequency Electronic Warfare (RFEW) systems. These systems are designed, developed, built, integrated, and tested by the capable folks at our company to protect the lives of US and Allied warfighters in present and future conflicts. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real‑life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today. If you are interested in being considered for inclusion on this team, we invite you to apply.

The Staff System Architect

Serves as the authority for the system architecture and design, and owns responsibility to create, evolve, and maintain the architecture of the system to meet operational needs, while accommodating known constraints such as cost, schedule, and risk, and tailoring the system’s requirements margins relative to the risk and compliance with the Key Performance Parameters (KPPs). The System Architect also owns responsibility for maintaining alignment between the appropriate solution and internal roadmaps, product lines or common components, if applicable.

Position Details

This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL location.

This position is contingent upon funding/contract award, special access program, and acquiring and maintaining the necessary U.S. Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to starting.

Basic Qualifications For Staff System Architect

• BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Physics or other STEM field with 12+ years of related experience, MS degree in STEM field with 10+ years of related experience, or PhD in STEM field with 8+ years of related experience
• 5+ years of related engineering experience working in an engineering organization at a defense contractor during EMD and/or LRIP phases
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Experience in creating and delivering technical presentations to internal and external leadership
• Experience working collaboratively on complex projects that encompass hardware, software, and firmware
• Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a U.S. Government Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to starting
• U.S. Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications For Staff System Architect

• Experience in all aspects of the engineering process from proposal / requirements analysis through verification testing and fielding of systems
• Experience in a Systems Engineering Integration & Test environment from one or more of the following specialty areas: EOIR systems, sensors, optics, antenna design, direction finding, geolocation, threat analysis
• Experience decomposing requirements for DoD-based platforms or systems
• Demonstrated expertise in SysML modeling and MBSE tools (e.g., IBMRationalDOORS, EnterpriseArchitect, Cameo). Ability to develop and maintain system models, traceability matrices, and verification cross‑reference artifacts
• Experience in development and Earned Value Management (EVM) of cost accounts and schedules
• Active U.S. Government Secret or Top‑Secret security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00

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.