Senior Principal Engineer, Systems Architect

Northrop Grumman

Sr Principal Engineer Systems Architect developing command and control architecture for missile defense. Collaborative role within multi-company team for defense initiatives in Colorado Springs and Huntsville.

Posted 5/27/2026full-timeColorado Springs • Alabama, Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $129,300 - $203,600 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Will be part of an integrated architecture and systems engineering team within a multi-company teammate program, tasked with defining the operational, physical, functional, and technical architecture needed to describe the vision and desired capabilities of an evolving C2BMC effort
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
Will participate in analyzing high-level needs through a structured and logical approach
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
Including both physical and logical architectures across the System
Will interface with project leads, product owners, and the MDA customer
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
Will present at internal and external design reviews
May assist in documenting or reviewing architectures using 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

Requirements

What you’ll need

A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, 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 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
Experience of being part of a team that architected systems in an environment that leverages existing or COTS/GOTS components, with DoD interoperability in mind
Experience working in an integrated team environment with other systems, software, and specialty engineers to develop solutions
Experience with identifying and defining desired capabilities; communicating them to a diverse group of developers, engineers, subject matter experts, and users; and generating architecture artifacts to document and control the achievement of the desired capabilities
Experience developing systems engineering and architecture artifacts (e.g., specifications, Interface Control Documents, Use Cases, System Architecture Descriptions, Trade Studies, etc.)
Experience creating briefings, creating and reviewing architecture designs and artifacts, and presenting at DoD Customer Design Reviews
Experience as a technical leader for a DoD Systems Engineering or Development effort
Candidate must have Systems Engineering/Architecture and/or Test Experience on a DoD Program
Must have the desire to become a Systems Architect on a complex Command and Control DoD Program
Must have excellent communication skills and be able to present technical concepts to a diverse group of engineers
Must possess at least two of the following skill sets: 2+ years of 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

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health Plan
Savings Plan
Paid Time Off
Education Assistance
Training and Development
Flexible Work Arrangements

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Systems EngineeringSystem ArchitectureC2BMCCOTS componentsGOTS componentsArchitecture artifactsInterface Control DocumentsUse CasesTrade StudiesDoD interoperability

Soft Skills

communication skillscollaborationtechnical leadershippresentation skillsteamworkanalytical skillsproblem-solvingorganizational skillsinterpersonal skillsability to work in integrated teams

Certifications

Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreePhDDoD-issued Secret security clearance