Systems Architect 3

Is hiring for federal client Northrup Grumman Systems Architect

Interested candidate can share resume at View email address on us.fitly.work or call Senior Recruiter Alec at View phone number on us.fitly.work Senior Principal Computer Systems Architect

Requisition Overview

Details

Organization

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (N-OSSM Programs)

Location

9326 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123

Work Arrangement

100% Onsite (Lab / Classified Environment)

Number of Openings

1

Employment Type

Contract Only (40 Hours/Week)

Contract Duration

November 16, 2026 November 15, 2027 (1-Year Contract)

Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship Required

Travel

Up to 10%

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Senior Principal Computer Systems Architect based out of San Diego, CA to support N-OSSM development programs .

In this role, you will play a key part in an enterprise-wide digital transformation supporting large-scale, heterogeneous unclassified and classified development networks. Utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), DevSecOps, and Agile practices, you will architect, configure, harden, and sustain infrastructure spanning Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Windows, and VMware virtualization. This position works closely with software engineering, integration, and test automation teams to maintain robust, secure, and automated lab environments for critical national defense systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Network Design: Partner with software development and test automation teams to design, define, and document end-to-end system architectures for new and existing complex development networks.

• Linux Administration & Hardening: Lead system deployment, lifecycle management, and security hardening across Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments in accordance with DISA STIG standards.

• Identity & Directory Services: Configure, manage, and sustain Linux identity management solutions, specifically LDAP / Red Hat Directory Server (RHDS) and Linux BIND DNS.

• Monitoring & Log Analytics: Deploy, configure, and utilize Splunk for centralized logging, security monitoring, and system diagnostics across heterogeneous networks.

• Automation & Scripting: Develop and maintain automation scripts using Ansible, Python, and Bash/Shell to streamline configuration management, provisioning, and routine sustainment.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work side-by-side with engineers and technicians in a hands-on lab environment; implement engineering change proposals (ECPs) and coordinate network configurations with peers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and government customer engineers.

• Infrastructure Sustainment: Perform installation, hardware/software upgrades, troubleshooting, performance tuning, and disaster recovery planning across Linux, Windows, and virtualized platforms.

• Technology Modernization: Evaluate and recommend emerging industry tools, containerization frameworks, and virtualization enhancements to optimize pipeline efficiency and system availability.

Qualifications Basic / Required Qualifications:

• Education & Experience:

  • 4 years of relevant experience with a STEM PhD degree; OR

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field plus relevant experience; OR

  • An additional 4 years of relevant experience considered in lieu of a degree.

• Clearance & Citizenship:

  • U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.

  • Must hold or be able to obtain an Interim Secret clearance prior to start , with the ability to obtain and maintain a full DoD Secret clearance .

• Operating Systems:

  • In-depth, advanced technical knowledge of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) , core system utilities (awk, grep, etc.), and advanced OS-level troubleshooting.

  • Experience with LDAP (Red Hat Directory Server / RHDS) .

  • Basic administration experience with Windows Server / Client operating systems.

• Security & Compliance:

  • Demonstrated experience implementing and enforcing DISA STIGs and system hardening guidelines.

• Networking & Monitoring:

  • Practical knowledge of network configurations, including Linux BIND DNS .

  • Hands-on experience working with and utilizing Splunk .

• Automation & Scripting:

  • Proven scripting/programming skills in Bash/Shell, Ansible, and Python .

• Operational Readiness:

  • Ability to work 100% onsite at the San Diego Spectrum Center campus.

  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with bare-metal imaging, backup, and restore tools/scripts (e.g., Clonezilla, Linux dump).

• Hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration platforms ( Docker, Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift ).

• Strong virtualization experience with platforms such as VMware ESXi/vCenter, KVM, Hyper-V, or RH-V .

• Solid grasp of enterprise storage and network protocols, including iSCSI connectivity .

• Experience mentoring and providing technical guidance to junior system administrators and engineers.

• Flexibility to support non-standard operational shifts if required (e.g., 2nd shift, RDO Fridays, occasional weekend maintenance windows).

Core Competency & Skill Matrix

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) DISA STIGs & System Hardening Ansible / Python / Bash Automation Splunk Log Management & Monitoring VMware & Virtualization Architecture LDAP / Red Hat Directory Server (RHDS) Linux BIND DNS & iSCSI Networking Containers (Docker / OpenShift / K8s) Heterogeneous Network Design DevSecOps & Agile Lab Environments