Northrop Grumman Space Systems—Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for a Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer (26-162) to join our team of skilled, 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 selected candidate will have the potential to work across C2BMC in both Missile Defense and Space. The candidate will be part of an integrated architecture and systems engineering team within a multi-company team program, tasked with defining the operational, physical, functional, and technical architecture necessary to describe the vision and desired capabilities of an evolving C2BMC effort. The candidate will be part of the team architecting missile defense command-and-control and battle management systems in an environment that leverages existing or COTS/GOTS components, with DoD interoperability in mind.
Essential Functions:
Participate in analyzing high-level needs through a structured and logical approach
Candidate will be responsible for creating System Architecture solutions and concepts for a variety of new and emerging capabilities for the C2BMC system, in collaboration with other Architects, including the lead Systems Architect, software architects, network architect, and cyber architect
Communicates and collaborates with other teams, including software developers, network engineers, cyber engineers, DevSecOps teams, infrastructure teams, test teams, and deployment teams, on System Architecture solutions
This includes both physical and logical architectures across the System
Will interface with project leads, product owners, and the MDA customer
Candidate will present architectural concepts to a wide range of audiences and serve as the focal point for the System Architecture for the Capability for the development, test, and deployment efforts
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
Solves complex problems that require the consistent use of ingenuity and creativity
Work is performed without significant direction and is reviewed for desired results over a relatively long time frame; erroneous decisions would normally fail to achieve major organizational objectives
May serve in project leadership roles and represent the organization as the prime customer contact on significant technical matters related to contracts
Work will be performed as a member of an Agile Scrum team, under the direction of a Team Lead who reports to the C2BMC Regional Systems Engineering Manager
Work will be performed in a closed area, and this position is 100% in-office with no remote opportunities
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, Software Engineering, Engineering, 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 9 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree
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
Understand modern system paradigm
Experience with Java programming language and full software lifecycle
Must possess at least two of the following skill sets:
C2BMC or similar complex DoD Command and Control (C2) System experience
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
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Systems Engineering is highly preferred
Certification: INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Certification
Certification: Object Management Group Certified Systems Modeling Professional - Model Builder Fundamental (OCSMP - MBF)
Candidate must have Systems Engineering/Architecture with Test Experience as a desired skill on a DoD Program
Candidate must have the desire to become a Systems Architect on a complex Command and Control DoD Program
Candidate must have excellent communication skills and be able to present technical concepts to a diverse group of engineers
Colorado: $129,300 - $193,900
Huntsville: $135,800 - 203,600
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that fosters your growth, benefiting both employees and the company. The benefits are flexible and customizable, allowing you to choose options that meet 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: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related field with 8 years experience (or Master's with 6 years, or 9 years experience in lieu of degree)
- Current, active DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND)
- Current, active DoD Secret security clearance at time of application
- Willingness to travel approximately 10% of the time
- Experience with Java programming language and full software lifecycle
- Ability to understand and apply modern systems paradigms and create system architecture solutions and concepts
- Possess at least two: C2BMC or similar complex DoD Command and Control system experience; creating new system architecture concepts and solutions; IT/software/network experience on integrated teams; experience as Technical Lead or Systems Engineering SME in Missile Defense, Space, or Link 16 domain
- Ability to present technical concepts to diverse engineering audiences and participate in design reviews
- Master's Degree in Systems Engineering
- INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
- Object Management Group Certified Systems Modeling Professional - Model Builder Fundamental (OCSMP - MBF)
- Systems Engineering/Architecture with Test Experience on DoD Programs
- Excellent communication skills and ability to present technical concepts
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







