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Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer (26-156)

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Full Time On-site
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 Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer (26-156) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Located 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, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a crucial component of the Missile Defense System. It is an essential operational system that enables the U.S. president, the secretary of defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, monitor the battle together, and actively control networked sensors and weapon systems to meet global and regional mission objectives. C2BMC provides layered missile defense capabilities that enable a well-coordinated response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It acts as a force multiplier by connecting, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations, both regionally and worldwide, to enhance performance. C2BMC is vital for all ground and flight tests that verify and showcase the current and future capabilities of missile defense systems.

The selected candidate will have the chance to work on C2BMC projects in both the Missile Defense and Space sectors. They will join an integrated architecture and systems engineering team within a multi-company collaboration, responsible for defining the operational, physical, functional, and technical architecture that reflects the vision and capabilities of an evolving C2BMC system. The role involves contributing to the design of missile defense command-and-control and battle management systems, utilizing existing or COTS/GOTS components, all with DoD interoperability in mind. Work will be carried out as part of an Agile Scrum team, under the guidance of a Team Lead who reports to the C2BMC Regional Systems Engineering Manager. All work will take place in a secure, closed environment.

Essential Functions:

  • Engage in analyzing core needs using a systematic and logical method
  • The candidate will be responsible for developing System Architecture solutions and concepts for various new and emerging capabilities of the C2BMC system, working collaboratively with other Architects such as the lead Systems Architect, software architects, network architect, and cyber architect
  • Communicates and collaborates with various teams—such as software developers, network engineers, cyber engineers, DevSecOps, infrastructure, test, and deployment teams—on System Architecture solutions, covering both physical and logical architectures across the system
  • Coordinate with project leads, product owners, and MDA customers
  • The candidate will communicate architecture concepts to diverse audiences and act as the central point for the System Architecture during development, testing, and deployment activities
  • Candidate will present at internal and external design reviews
  • Candidate may assist with documenting or reviewing architectures in an MBSE tool such as CAMEO
  • Maintains knowledge of current and emerging technologies and design methodologies in the areas of DoD Command and Control and COTS/FOSS information technology products
  • Utilizes extensive expertise
  • Addresses intricate problems that demand consistent ingenuity and creative thinking
  • Work is carried out independently and is evaluated based on long-term outcomes
  • May serve in project leadership roles and represent the organization as the primary customer contact on significant technical matters related to contracts

Basic Qualifications:

 

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

 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Systems Architecture, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 8 years of experience; or a Master’s degree (preferred) in a related field with 6 years of relevant work experience; or a PhD in a related discipline with 4 years of relevant work experience
  • 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
  • The candidate must have experience in Systems Engineering or Architecture with a focus on Testing, preferably on a DoD program
  • The candidate should have a strong desire to serve as a Systems Architect on a complex Command and Control DoD program
  • The candidate must possess strong communication abilities and be capable of explaining technical ideas to a varied group of engineers
  • Must have CSEP – MBSE certification or obtain it within 3 months of the start date
  • Candidate must possess at least two of the following skill sets:
  • Experience with C2BMC or similar advanced DoD/MDA Command and Control (C2) systems
  • Experience creating new System Architecture concepts and solutions
  • Information Technology / Computer Science / Software / Network-related work experience on an integrated team collaborating with other systems, software, and specialty engineers to develop solutions for a DoD Program
  • Experience as a Technical Lead, Systems Engineering SME, or Systems Engineering technical leader in the Missile Defense, Space, or Link 16 Domain

What We Can Offer You:

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that fosters your growth, supporting both your success and the company's. The benefits at Northrop Grumman are flexible and customizable, allowing you to select options that best meet your needs and your family's. 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: $129,300.00 - $203,600.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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