Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Staff C2E Software Architect with of experience designing, engineering, and field deploying, multi level systems that span cloud, edge, and government furnished hardware/software (GFX/GFE). The role will own end to end architecture for cross domain and multi level security (Red/Black) solution, guide cloud migration to Microsoft Azure, and lead technical teams through concept, development, integration, and operational sustainment. This position is located onsite in El Segundo, CA or Redondo Beach, CA.
Key Responsibilities
Functional requirements development – Elicit, write, and prioritize functional requirements.
System engineering decomposition – Translate functional requirements into hardware and software architectures; define all interfaces.
Cameo Systems Modeler support – Guide development of Activity, Internal Block Diagram (IBD), and Block Definition Diagram (BDD) models.
Cyber architecture (JSIG/NIST) breakdown – Convert limited cyber requirements into detailed design artifacts.
Zero Trust, Role-based access control (RBAC) & Identity and access management (IAM) design – Architect Zero Trust networks, role based access controls, and IAM workflow diagrams.
Content Security Policy / Ground segment / Data center architecture – Design on prem, hybrid, edge, and CSP integrated solutions.
Multi Level & Cross Domain Solutions – Define processing levels, CD S interfaces, and data-filtering mechanisms.
Network architecture expertise – Micro segmentation, resiliency, network/security operations center (NOC/SOC) planning.
Automation & IaC – Implement Ansible, Terraform, PowerShell, Python, etc., for repeatable provisioning.
CI/CD pipeline ownership – Build, test, and deploy software and infrastructure across the lifecycle.
Integration test planning & execution – Create test plans, validate data flows, verify real time command paths.
GRA / GFx / Open System software experience – Leverage open system architectures for mission critical software.
Container & VM experience – Deploy Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper V, KVM, etc., in hardened environments.
Secure / hardened / COTS integration – Incorporate DoD grade, GFx hardened, secure boot components.
Leadership / team coordination – Serve as lead engineer, IPT lead, technical manager, and mentor for junior staff.
Domain expertise – Defense, aerospace, missile, and mission critical C2 systems.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and at least 12 years’ experience, or STEM master’s degree with 10 years’ experience, or a STEM PHD with 8 years’ experience.
Experience: 8+ years of architecting secure, distributed solutions
Core Technical Expertise: Cross Domain Solutions, Multi Level Security (Red/Black), Microsoft Azure, Cloud & distributed hardware architecture, Government furnished hardware/software (GFX/GFE), Field deployable systems
Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated Top Secret clearance & SCI (DoD must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
Security Standards: NIST, JSIG, NSA, DoD Cyber-risk frameworks
Leadership: Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical teams and manage large-scale IPTs
Preferred Qualifications:
Cloud Platforms: AWS (including GovCloud), Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Database Management: Design & administration of relational & NoSQL databases
Virtualization & VDI: Hypervisor deployments (VMware, Hyper V, KVM) and VDI
InfoSec Frameworks: NIST 800 53, NIST CSF, NSA security guidelines
DevOps & Automation: Ansible, Terraform, PowerShell, Python, CI/CD tooling (GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
Zero Trust Architecture: Deep experience building Zero Trust networks and IAM/RBAC models
Edge & Ground Segment: Experience with edge computing nodes, field segment integration, and data center design (on prem, hybrid, multi cloud)
COTS Integration: DoD grade COTS, GFx hardened, secure boot
Agile Combat Employment (ACE): Philosophical understanding of system employment in ACE.
Education & Certifications (Preferred)
MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Certified Cloud Architect (Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Google Professional Cloud Architect)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or equivalent
DoD DoDI 8510.01 (Risk Management Framework) certification
Skills Required
- U.S. Citizenship and active Secret clearance required for start
- Ability to transfer and maintain final adjudicated Top Secret clearance and SCI (DoD scope or Continuous Evaluation)
- Bachelor's in STEM with 12+ years, or Master's in STEM with 10+ years, or PhD in STEM with 8+ years
- 8+ years architecting secure, distributed solutions
- Experience with Cross Domain Solutions and Multi-Level Security (Red/Black)
- Experience with Microsoft Azure and cloud migration to Azure
- Experience with government-furnished hardware/software (GFX/GFE) and field-deployable systems
- Knowledge of security standards and frameworks: NIST, JSIG, NSA, DoD cyber-risk frameworks
- Design experience for Zero Trust, RBAC, and Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Infrastructure-as-Code and automation experience (Ansible, Terraform, PowerShell, Python)
- CI/CD pipeline ownership and tooling experience (GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
- Container and virtualization experience (Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM)
- Cameo Systems Modeler experience (Activity, IBD, BDD)
- Network architecture expertise including micro-segmentation and NOC/SOC planning
- Integration test planning and execution for real-time command/data flows
- Proven leadership: lead multi-disciplinary technical teams and IPTs; mentor junior staff
- Experience with secure/hardened COTS integration and secure boot
- Familiarity with ground segment, on-prem, hybrid, edge, and CSP integrated solutions
- AWS (including GovCloud) and Google Cloud Platform experience
- Database design and administration (relational and NoSQL)
- Virtualization and VDI experience (hypervisors, VDI deployments)
- Certifications: Azure Solutions Architect, AWS/GCP cloud architect, CISSP, RMF (DoDI 8510.01) preferred
- Philosophical understanding of Agile Combat Employment (ACE)
- Familiarity with specific InfoSec frameworks: NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, NSA guidelines
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.


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