Engineer / Principal Engineer Systems Architect

Relocation assistance may be available. This position requires an active DoD Secret clearance (or higher) and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. Travel is required, up to 10% of the time.

About the role

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is seeking a Systems Architect (Engineer or Principal Engineer) to join our team in Melbourne, Florida. This role supports the maturation of thread capabilities for a manned aircraft mission, acting as a Thread Lead to advance capabilities through functional analysis and Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE). The Systems Architect will collaborate with stakeholders—including subsystem developers, system integrators, testers, and requirements engineers—to deliver quality design products, lead detailed planning, and manage development schedules.

Responsibilities

• Mature thread capabilities through functional analysis and MBSE processes to optimize incremental development and early integration.
• Lead Thread Capability detailed planning, define acceptance criteria, and track development schedules.
• Develop thread integration plans and procedures, and maintain technical oversight of subsystem interdependencies and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to identify and resolve gaps.
• Incorporate cross-IPT feedback to support the development and approval of:
  • Models of interface input/output (messages, fields, signals) between subsystems.
  • Integration procedures and development schedules.
  • Models of software-to-hardware deployment and interface protocols.
  • Mapping between requirements and design.

Requirements

Engineer Level

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 2 years of related professional/military experience, or a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of experience, or a STEM Ph.D. and 0 years of experience.
• Active DoD Secret clearance (or higher) with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Knowledge of developing model-based systems engineering products.
• Knowledge of Atlassian Tool Suite.

Principal Engineer Level

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related professional/military experience, or a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of experience, or a STEM Ph.D. and 1 year of experience.
• Active DoD Secret clearance (or higher) with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Experience with Atlassian Tool Suite.
• Experience developing model-based systems engineering products.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to present technical material to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with embedded software development.
• Experience integrating complex systems across multiple domains.
• Experience demonstrating concepts to management and customers.
• Understanding of SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) principles and implementation.

Pay

• Engineer Level: $79,300 – $118,900 per year.
• Principal Engineer Level: $98,400 – $147,600 per year.

Base salary offers consider factors such as scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and market conditions. Eligible employees may receive overtime, shift differentials, discretionary bonuses, annual performance-based bonuses, and long-term incentives (for Vice President or Director roles).

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan (401k).
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business.