Staff Systems Engineer (Lead) (26-499)

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 161,000 - 254,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer (Lead) to guide a regional SE team and deliver model-based architecture and requirements for the C2BMC program. The role emphasizes hands-on engineering, leadership, and collaboration with government and industry partners in a high-stakes defense environment.

The position requires MBSE expertise (SysML/UML), strong communication, and the ability to translate stakeholder needs into traceable system

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 12 years of experience; or Master’s degree with 10 years; or PhD with 8 years of experience
• Active Government-Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher at time of application
• Active in-scope Government-issued Secret clearance at time of application
• MBSE experience (SysML/UML) in missile defense or high‑complexity domains

Responsibilities

• Lead regional SE team (~30 engineers) while executing core engineering tasks
• Set technical priorities, review capability concepts, and conduct reviews
• Be hands-on, producing and reviewing requirements, architecture views, and interface docs
• Demonstrate leadership of multidisciplinary teams while remaining technically engaged
• Deliver decomposed, traceable requirements linked to validated architecture
• Collaborate with government/DoD/industry partners in a multi-stakeholder environment
• Communicate analyses and recommendations to senior leaders
• Willing to travel occasionally to support program/customer needs

Skills

Leadership

MBSE proficiency

SysML/UML modeling

Requirement decomposition

Systems engineering

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM (Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Project Management, Mathematics, Physics, or related)

Master’s Degree in STEM-related field (preferred)

PhD in related discipline

Tools

DOORS Next

Jama Connect

Polarion

Cameo Systems Modeler

MagicDraw

Rhapsody

Enterprise Architect

MATLAB/Simulink

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 (Lead) (26-499) 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 plan ballistic missile defense operations systematically, 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.

Essential Functions:

• Lead and mentor a regional systems engineering team (~30 junior and senior engineers) while continuing to execute core engineering tasks, including capability concepts, modeling, analysis, test support, and requirement verification

• Set technical priorities for the regional SE team, create and review capability concepts, and conduct rigorous technical reviews to ensure high-quality engineering products

• Remain “hands-on” by actively producing and reviewing key engineering artifacts, including requirements, architecture views, and interface documentation

• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams while remaining actively engaged in technical work

• Strong track record of delivering decomposed, traceable requirements linked to a validated system architecture for large-scale defense programs

• Experience with regional C2BMC implementations, including sensor management, tasking, cueing, and discrimination, as well as an understanding of BMDS operational constraints and environments

• Proven ability to collaborate directly with multiple customer and contractor organizations (government, DoD, industry) in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate model-based analyses into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders and operators

• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to support program and customer needs

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, Software Engineering, Project Management, 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 a PhD in a related discipline with 8 years of relevant work experience

• Applicants must have a current, active Government-Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+ CE, CISSP, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start. The candidate is responsible for maintaining their 8140 certifications throughout the entire contract period

• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start

• Extensive systems engineering background with hands‑on MBSE experience ( SysML/UML modeling , requirement decomposition, architecture development) within missile defense or other high‑complexity, mission‑critical domains

Model-Based Requirement Decomposition

• Lead the systematic breakdown of high‑level operational needs into traceable, hierarchical system and interface requirements linked directly to architectural elements

• Capture warfighter, operator, and stakeholder intent in a model‑based repository (e.g., DOORS Next, Jama Connect ) and maintain a single source of truth

• Perform functional decomposition using SysML Use Case and Activity diagrams to derive system‑level functions, sub‑functions, and allocated capabilities

• Decompose functional requirements into hierarchical, traceable low‑level system and interface requirements; link each low‑level requirement to the originating stakeholder need and to the relevant architectural element

• Maintain bidirectional traceability (needs, functional requirements, logical and physical requirements, and verification) throughout the product lifecycle; use model queries to assess the impact of changes automatically

• Facilitate requirement workshops with customers and subject matter experts to validate decomposed requirements and capture clear acceptance criteria

Architecture Development & Management

• Lead SE teams in creating, validating, and maintaining robust, model‑based system architecture that supports regional C2BMC functional and performance objectives

• Develop coherent logical and physical architectures using SysML Block Definition Diagrams (BDD), Internal Block Diagrams (IBD), and parametric diagrams as needed

• Define subsystem boundaries, interfaces, and data flows that support regional C2BMC functions such as sensor management, cueing, tasking, and discrimination

• Create architecture viewpoints (operational, systems, services, allocation, behavior) aligned with DoDAF and UAF standards to communicate design intent to diverse audiences clearly

• Perform architecture trade studies (e.g., performance, cost, risk, survivability) within the model environment and generate quantitative results (timing, bandwidth, processing load) that feed back into requirement refinement

• Validate architectural compliance with C2BMC operational concepts and regional constraints (latency, bandwidth, threat environment) using model‑based simulation and analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, STK , or integrated SysML simulation environments)

Model-Based Analyses & Verification

• Lead the team in conducting trade studies and reliability assessments directly from the system model

• Partner with Integration and Test teams to generate model-derived test cases and automate verification of requirement satisfaction against the model

• Analyze test results, update models to reflect observed behavior, and close the verification loop to ensure accurate, current digital representations of the system

Interface Control & Management

• Direct the development and maintenance of authoritative Interface Control Documents ( ICDs ) and Interface Requirements Specifications ( IRS ) derived from the architectural model

• Ensure any interface changes are promptly reflected across all linked requirements and design elements to mitigate configuration drift and integration risk.

Stakeholder Representation & Communication

• Embed warfighter and operator viewpoints into the system model to ensure operational intent is preserved through design, integration, and test

• Work directly with government, DoD, and industry partners to derive requirements, architecture, and interfaces from their capability inputs

• Prepare and deliver clear, technically rigorous briefings, architecture overviews, and requirement traceability reports to senior leadership, program management, and external stakeholders

Process & Tool Integration

• Integrate MBSE tools with configuration management systems (e.g., Git, SVN ) and requirements management tools to enforce a single source of truth and disciplined change control

• Champion Model-Driven Development & Test processes , ensuring models drive code generation, simulation, and verification activities

• Promote the adoption of MDNT, Agile/Iterative SE , and DoD MBSE guidelines across the team to enhance efficiency, quality, and repeatability

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering

• 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)

• MBSE tools experience with one or more of the following: Cameo Systems Modeler, MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect , or equivalent

• Requirements management experience with DOORS, DOORS Next, Jama Connect, Polarion , or similar tools, with strong emphasis on requirement-to-model linking and traceability

• Architecture modeling expertise using SysML BDD, IBD , and parametric diagrams ; familiarity with DoDAF and UAF architectural views

• Ability to conduct model-based performance, timing, and reliability simulations using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK , or built-in SysML simulation capabilities

• Experience generating model-derived test cases and supporting SIL/HIL test campaigns to validate requirements and architecture

• Comfortable collaborating across software, hardware, network, and cyber engineering disciplines to co-develop integrated, model-based solutions

• Working knowledge of MDNT, Agile/Iterative systems engineering practices, and DoD MBSE guidelines

• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills, including the ability to define, delegate, and review technical work while maintaining deep technical engagement, and to convey complex model information to non-technical audiences

• MBSE certification is a plus

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 the following:

• Health Plan

• Savings Plan

• Paid Time Off

• Education Assistance

• Training and Development

• Flexible Work Arrangements

https://benefits.northropgrumman.com/us/en2/BenefitsOverview/Pages/default.aspx

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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 (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.

Job Category: Engineering