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

Northrop Grumman; 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

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Colorado Springs is seeking a Staff Systems Architect Engineer for missile defense solutions. In this role, you'll design and develop systems vital for national defense, ensuring compatibility with existing frameworks and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a background in computer science or engineering, a current DoD Secret clearance, and significant experience in systems architecture. This position requires on-site work and offers a salary range of $161,000 - $253,600.

Qualifications

• 12 years of experience or 10 years with a Master's degree.
• Must have an active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Extensive track record of developing complex command and control solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new systems for missile defense.
• Lead design efforts and support technical presentations.
• Manage architectural backlog and coordinate with stakeholders.

Skills

System Architecture

C2BMC solutions

DoD interoperability

Technical Presentations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II

Tools

Architectural frameworks (DoDAF, MODAF, TOGAF)

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools

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.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for a Staff Systems Architect Engineer – Solutions Architect Product Owner (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.

Position Overview

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a key component of the Missile Defense System. It is a vital operational system that enables the U.S. president, the secretary of defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and operational levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, collectively monitor the battle, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals. C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities that enable an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It serves as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations, both globally and regionally, to improve performance. C2BMC 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 (Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications) 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. 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 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

• Will 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

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 12 years of experience; or a Master’s degree in a related field with 10 years of relevant work experience; or a PhD in a related discipline with 8 years of relevant work experience
• Applicants must have a current, active DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start. The candidate is responsible for maintaining their DoD 8140 certification throughout the entire contract period
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs
• Will have an extensive track record of designing, developing, and integrating complex command and control or battle management solutions
• A solid grasp of systems architecture, using frameworks like DoDAF, MODAF, or TOGAF, allows you to turn mission requirements into comprehensive, technology-ready system solutions while adhering to TRL limitations
• Consistently engage in both internal and external design reviews, creating models and architectural guidelines that support ongoing projects and future growth. Show capability in managing stakeholder priorities and establishing acceptance criteria for each architectural release
• Strong written and oral communication abilities; 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 (functional diagrams, interface definitions, data models)
• Adopt a 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 (such as 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 AssistanceTraining and Development
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Primary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $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 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.