Staff Systems Engineer – Integration & Test Engr Proj Mgr (26-405)

Northrop Grumman; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 161,000 - 241,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Education Assistance

Paid Time Off

Training and Development

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration in Colorado Springs seeks a Staff Systems Engineer – Integration & Test Engr Project Manager to lead the I&T RMA for the C2BMC program on-site. This role supports DoD-level security clearances and requires travel up to 10% of the time.

The successful candidate will direct engineering backlogs, align test strategies with program goals, and manage staffing, schedules, and baselines across multiple teams and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in STEM with extensive relevant experience or equivalent.
• Current security clearance: Secret (with ability to obtain Top Secret).
• Willingness to travel ~10% of the time when required by program.

Responsibilities

• Lead the I&T Resource Managed Area (RMA) and own all I&T commitments and deliverables across the C2BMC program.
• Prioritize and decompose I&T technical backlog items into executable epics and capabilities with proper staffing and sequencing.
• Develop and maintain the I&T portion of the program schedule, cost estimates, staffing plans, and risk/opportunity registers.
• Serve as Cost Account Manager (CAM) for the I&T RMA with earned value management responsibilities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Education

STEM degree

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

SysML

Cameo

IBM ENLM

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 Engineer – Integration & Test Engr Project Mgr (26-405) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, 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 plan ballistic missile defense operations, 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 Integration and Test (I&T) Engineering Project Manager (EPM) will lead the I&T Resource Managed Area (RMA), directing all I&T commitments and ensuring that technical backlog items are prioritized, decomposed into executable epics and capabilities, and adequately staffed to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives. As the primary technical authority for I&T across the C2BMC program, the EPM will ensure that engineering solutions, test plans, and system baselines align with the program's overall goals and modern engineering practices.

Essential Functions

• Lead the I&T RMA and own all I&T commitments and deliverables across the C2BMC program
• Prioritize and decompose I&T technical backlog items into executable epics and capabilities, ensuring appropriate staffing and sequencing to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives
• Develop, maintain, and communicate the I&T portion of the program schedule, cost estimates, staffing plans, and risk/opportunity registers
• Serve as Cost Account Manager (CAM) for the I&T RMA, owning earned value management (EVM) and control account responsibilities to ensure affordability and disciplined performance
• Recruit, select, train, and retain a high‑performing I&T workforce; manage work assignments, performance assessments, recognition, and disciplinary actions; and mitigate attrition against current and forecast demand signals
• Act as the primary technical authority for I&T, validating that engineering solutions, test strategies, and system baselines are consistent with program goals, architectures, and modern engineering practices
• Coordinate closely with Solution Chiefs, other RMAs, Agile Release Trains (ARTs), and external partners (e.g., Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics) to resolve dependencies, address issues, and synchronize efforts across geographically dispersed teams
• Author and approve Basis of Estimates (BOE) and proposal technical content for I&T efforts, ensuring resources are correctly sized to scope and that commitments are realistic and traceable
• Lead risk and opportunity management for I&T: identify, evaluate, track, and mitigate I&T‑related risks; drive timely execution of mitigation plans; and report status to senior leadership and customers
• Provide clear, concise briefings and status updates to senior leaders, customers, and external stakeholders, acting as the primary spokesperson for I&T capabilities, health, and progress
• Champion Agile system/software development methodologies within the I&T RMA, driving continuous improvement, data‑informed decision‑making, and adoption of digital engineering tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Agility)
• Promote disciplined use of modern digital engineering and MBSE practices to enhance productivity, traceability, and technical rigor across I&T activities
• Travel to development, testing, and operational sites as required to oversee I&T activities, conduct audits, and present the program in customer and partner meetings
• Support on‑call, evening, and weekend activities when necessary for system anomalies, major test events, or critical integration milestones

Basic Qualifications

Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in STEM Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 12 years of experience; or a Master’s degree (preferred) in a STEM-related field with 10 years of relevant work experience; or 8 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance and be indoctrinated into SCI clearance
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs

Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive engineering leadership experience within DoD programs, preferably with direct involvement in C2BMC, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), or related space/defense domain initiatives
• Demonstrated success managing large, geographically dispersed engineering teams (100+ personnel) across multiple companies and subcontractors
• Experience with Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and SAFe/Agile methodologies in a complex, mission‑critical environment
• Direct experience with MDA or C2BMC programs, including familiarity with their technical architecture, integration and test practices, and operational concepts
• Background in Integration and Test, network engineering, software development, or cyber engineering supporting large‑scale secure communications and mission‑critical platform/infrastructure solutions
• Proven ability to lead multi‑company, multi‑discipline teams that include prime contractors (e.g., Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics) and temporary‑agency resources across multiple sites

Technical Expertise

• Hands‑on experience authoring and approving Basis of Estimates (BOE), cost proposals, and technical baselines
• Strong background in earned value management (EVM) and cost/schedule risk analysis
• Proven ability to deliver complex DoD systems (software, cyber, network, or hardware) on schedule and within budget while driving affordability and quality improvements
• Expertise in digital engineering and model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., SysML, Cameo, IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management) and a record of implementing these practices to enhance productivity and traceability
• Advanced proficiency with Agile collaboration platforms and the ability to tailor toolsets to support complex program workflows
• Strong risk‑management orientation, with a history of formally identifying, mitigating, and tracking technical risks and opportunities through earned value and quantitative analysis

Stakeholder Interaction & Collaboration

• Direct experience briefing senior leadership and customers (e.g., senior MDA officials, program executives) on technical status, risks, and opportunities
• Experience influencing and coordinating work across multiple external partners and prime contractors and managing vendor/temporary‑agency staffing
• Core Skills & Tools:
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex engineering issues into clear, action‑oriented messages
• Proficiency with Agile collaboration tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence) and an understanding of modern digital engineering practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering highly preferred
• Graduate Certificate: Model-Based Systems Engineering (Ex: Stevens, Caltech, UCSD, USC, GWU, INCOSE cohort, etc)
• Certification: INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Certification
• Certification: Object Management Group Certified Systems Modeling Professional - Model Builder Intermediate (OCSMP - MBI)
• Applicants with a current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret security clearance at the time of application with the eligibility to be read on to SCI clearance are highly desired
• SAFe® Product Owner / Product Manager or Release Train Engineer (RTE) certification, with demonstrated experience leading ARTs in a defense‑focused environment

What We Can Offer You

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that encourages your growth, benefiting both employees and the company. The benefits are flexible and customizable, enabling you to choose options that suit your individual and family needs. Your benefits will include:

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

  For more information, visit the Northrop Grumman U.S. Benefits site:

  Northrop Grumman Benefits Overview

  Primary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $241,400.00

  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.