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

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 161,000 - 253,600; 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 Corp. (AU) is seeking a senior product owner for the C2BMC architecture within the Missile Defense System.

You will own the backlog of architecture artifacts, translate mission needs into system requirements, and coordinate with developers, SMEs, and users to deliver integrated hardware‑software solutions. Required DoD 8140 IAT II certification and an active DoD Secret clearance, with 12+ years in related work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant work experience in systems engineering or software architecture.
• Experience designing, developing, and integrating complex command-and-control or battle-management solutions.
• Ability to translate mission needs into technology-ready system solutions while adhering to TRL limitations.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new systems, modernize legacy platforms, and drive architectural evolution roadmap.
• Lead portions of the design effort and support internal/external design reviews with clear presentations.
• Produce and maintain system models, interface control documents, and functional flow diagrams.

Skills

DoD 8140 certification

Active DoD Secret clearance

Travel readiness

MBSE knowledge

DoDAF/MODAF/TOGAF familiarity

Architectural communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in CS/SE/Math/Physics or related field

Tools

SysML

Enterprise Architect

MagicDraw

Job description

Relocation & Travel

No relocation assistance available.

Travel required: 10% of the time.

Position Overview

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a key component of the Missile Defense System. It enables U.S. leaders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels to plan ballistic missile defense operations, monitor battles, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals. C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities and serves as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations to improve performance. It is essential for all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the current and future capabilities of missile defense systems.

The 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 will 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 each increment aligns with stakeholder expectations. You will architect missile defense command‑and‑control and battle management systems, leveraging existing COTS/GOTS components while ensuring full DoD interoperability. Core responsibilities include translating high‑level mission needs into a cohesive hardware‑software solution; analyzing requirements; articulating desired capabilities to developers, engineers, SMEs, and users; and producing and maintaining system models, interface control documents, and functional flow diagrams.

Essential Functions

• Design and develop new systems, modernize legacy platforms, drive the architectural evolution roadmap, lead portions of the design effort, and support internal and external design reviews through clear written and oral technical presentations.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, with 12 years of experience; or a Master’s degree in a related field with 10 years of relevant work experience; or a Ph.D. with 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Current, active DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher at the time of application (e.g., Security+, CCNA‑Security, CySA+, CND, etc.), maintained throughout the contract period.
• Current, active DoD‑issued Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs.
• Extensive track record of designing, developing, and integrating complex command and control or battle management solutions.
• Solid grasp of systems architecture frameworks such as DoDAF, MODAF, or TOGAF, and ability to turn mission requirements into technology‑ready system solutions while adhering to TRL limitations.
• Consistently engage in internal and external design reviews, creating models and architectural guidelines that support ongoing projects and future growth. Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder priorities and establish acceptance criteria for each architectural release.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; adept at delivering clear and persuasive technical presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 architectural artifacts such as functional diagrams, interface definitions, and data models.
• Structured, logical, and analytical approach to transforming high‑level needs into integrated hardware and software solutions.
• Demonstrated capability to lead complex architectural activities, mentor junior team members, and drive cross‑functional alignment.
• Certified Product Owner, Certified Architect (e.g., TOGAF or Zachman), or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience integrating COTS/GOTS components and applying DoD interoperability standards such as MAUD and STANAG.
• Familiarity with model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) tools like SysML, Enterprise Architect, MagicDraw.
• Prior work in missile defense or other high‑threat, high‑availability command and control programs.

What We Can Offer You

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

Primary salary range: $161,000.00 – $253,600.00. Additional compensation may include overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and, for certain leadership levels, long‑term incentives.

For more information on benefits, visit https://benefits.northropgrumman.com/us/en2/BenefitsOverview/Pages/default.aspx.

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.