Command and Control Enclave (C2E) Architect - Staff Engineer Systems Architect

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Command and Control Enclave (C2E) Architect – Staff Systems Architect to join our team of qualified diverse individuals within our Research and Advanced Design (RAD) organization. This position will be located onsite in El Segundo, CA or San Diego, CA.

This senior individual contributor will serve as a primary technical authority for C2E mission and command‑and‑control architectures, spanning mission software, hardware platforms, tactical networks, cybersecurity, and data processing. They must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills with both customers and cross-functional teams. The selected candidate will lead architecture trade studies and integration strategies that align contract requirements, customer needs, and program technical objectives, while collaborating closely with systems, software, network, cyber, hardware, and integration & test teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop end‑to‑end system and mission architectures for C2 and mission systems within the C2E portfolio.
• Translate CONOPS and operational needs into functional, logical, and physical architectures, including interfaces and data flows.
• Lead architecture trade studies (compute, cloud vs. edge, tactical deployment, network, data transport, cyber approaches, payload/external integration) and document/defend recommendations.
• Define integration and verification strategies across mission software, hardware platforms, secure networks, sensors/payloads, and test environments.
• Support requirements development and allocation, system decomposition, interface definition, and system integration planning.
• Contribute to Interface Control Document ( ICDs), technical baselines, and major design reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, selloff).
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for C2E architecture, providing clear briefings and documentation to internal leadership and government customers.
• Support technical proposals, SOWs, BOEs, and risk/opportunity discussions as needed.

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of related professional/military experience; OR Master’s of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 10 years of related experience; OR STEM PhD with 8 years of related experience.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (background investigation within the past 6 years, or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation). Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable timeframe.
• Experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or other digital engineering programs for capturing architecture and system design (ex. Cameo, DOORS, Enterprise Architect)
• Experience with technical trade studies that influenced architecture or design decisions (such as Alternatives analysis (AoA) or cost–benefit / performance–cost trades)
• Experience with systems engineering practices (e.g., requirements allocation, system decomposition, interface definition, integration planning, Interface Control Documents (ICDs)).
• Prior experience leading technical efforts as an individual contributor.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams and customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Command and Control (C2) systems, mission systems, battle management systems, ground control stations, tactical operations centers, ISR systems, or tactical networks.
• Experience with system‑of‑systems architectures, secure enclaves, and/or multi‑domain operations (e.g., JADC2).

• Familiarity with open architectures such as Open Mission Systems (OMS) and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and relevant government reference architectures. Experience with large, complexsystems involving system development, integration, and test.
• Demonstrated background in systems or mission architecture spanning software, hardware, networking, and/or cyber.

• Knowledge of IP and tactical networking, secure communications, network segmentation, cross‑domain concepts, Zero Trust principles, and data transport in constrained/contested environments.
• Experience with the DoD acquisition lifecycle, classified program execution, and support to technical proposals, SOWs, and BOEs.
• Experience briefing architecture and trade‑study results to senior leadership and government customers.
• Experience with modern software architectures (service‑oriented, containerized, API‑driven), DevSecOps practices, and/or software factory environments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

What We Offer:

At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation -- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare and a great 401K matching program!

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.