Senior Principal Systems Architect Engineer – Global Systems & Software Architect

Northrop Grumman

Sr Principal Systems Architect Engineer at Northrop Grumman working on missile defense systems. Collaborating with diverse teams to translate requirements into architecturally compliant designs.

Posted 6/13/2026full-timeColorado Springs • Colorado • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $129,300 - $193,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Work under the direction of the Global Chief Architect (or delegate) with task-order engineers, software architects, and program managers to translate requirements into architecturally compliant allocations and to complete design packages that meet the mandated "ilities” criteria
Develop, review, and baseline derived system requirements, architectural decompositions, and engineering estimates, explicitly addressing maintainability, reliability, usability, and scalability throughout
Serve as the technical liaison to MDA working-level counterparts
Provide guidance and skill-building to junior systems engineering staff, emphasizing “ilities”-focused design thinking
Participate in iteration planning, internal review boards, and governance activities; educate teammates on architectural patterns in use; ensure designs are testable, traceable, and optimized for long-term operation
Ability to shift between tasks on short notice and support varied mission needs
Periodic travel to CONUS program review sites (Huntsville, AL) and local trips in the Colorado Springs area

Requirements

What you’ll need

A Bachelor’s Degree in STEM Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace 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 STEM-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 Top Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start with the eligibility to be read on to SCI clearance
Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs
Deep understanding of systems engineering processes and software engineering principles
Proven record of applying those principles to craft product solutions that are maintainable, reliable, usable, and scalable
Experience producing, reviewing, and maintaining system architecture artifacts such as requirements specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Use Cases, System Architecture Descriptions, Trade Study reports, Data Flow Diagrams, “ilities” analyses (reliability, maintainability, usability, scalability, etc.), and other MBSE deliverables
Hands-on work with Object-Oriented Analysis/Design (OOA/OOD) and the implementation of large, integrated software systems that meet strict "ilities” goals
Comfortable working in cross-disciplinary teams that include systems, software, and specialty engineers to deliver end-to-end solutions
Capable of writing and executing detailed engineering plans in a project environment

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 engineeringsoftware engineeringrequirements specificationsInterface Control Documents (ICDs)Use CasesSystem Architecture DescriptionsTrade Study reportsData Flow DiagramsObject-Oriented Analysis/Design (OOA/OOD)Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

Soft Skills

technical liaisonguidanceskill-buildingiteration planningteam educationadaptabilitycross-disciplinary collaborationproject planning

Certifications

Top Secret security clearanceSCI clearance eligibility