Staff Ground Software Architect – Space Ground Systems AHT
Northrop Grumman1 day ago
McLean, VA, USAStaff+
Base Salary
$177k - $266k/yr
Responsibilities
- Lead software architecture and technical direction for ground systems supporting space missions.
- Define, document, and evolve end-to-end architectures, services, interfaces, data flows, and system integrations.
- Perform requirements analysis, architecture and design, implementation, code reviews, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
- Integrate cloud, containerization, orchestration, automation, and observability technologies into mission systems.
- Collaborate with systems engineering, ground operations, cybersecurity, hardware, and test teams.
- Conduct technical planning, trade studies, system integration, verification and validation, and performance, cost, risk, and supportability analyses.
- Mentor software engineers, guide design decisions and best practices, and help grow engineering teams.
- Prepare technical documentation and briefings for internal leadership and customers.
- Drive adoption of modern software practices, automation, CI/CD, containerization, and infrastructure as code.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 12+ years of relevant software experience, or a master’s degree and 10+ years, or a PhD and 8+ years.
- Strong software development and software architecture experience for complex systems.
- Working experience with Python, C/C++, and Java or comparable modern programming languages.
- Experience across the software development lifecycle and with Agile software development practices.
- Prior lead or technical leadership experience in a team environment.
- Experience with Linux development environments, shell scripting, containerization, container orchestration, CI/CD, and configuration management.
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance at application and ability to obtain and maintain required special program access.
- Preferred qualifications include active TS/SCI clearance, program access, an advanced degree in computer science or computer engineering, and experience with model-based systems engineering, development, Atlassian, virtualization, and DevOps tools.
- Preferred experience includes leading Northrop Grumman engineering personnel, overseeing software architecture, interacting with customers and mission operators, and influencing technical direction.
Benefits
- Base salary range is $177,000.00–$265,600.00, with potential overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and applicable long-term incentives.
- Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off.
- Relocation assistance may be available.
- The position is full-time onsite in McLean, Virginia, in a secure environment, with approximately 10% travel.
- U.S. citizenship is required for government-cleared positions.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman designs and manufactures aircraft, spacecraft, missile defense, C4ISR, and cyber systems for the U.S. government, NASA, and allied nations. The company operates primarily through long-term defense and space contracts, delivering products and services spanning autonomous systems, sensors, software, and sustainment. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, it is a public company listed on the NYSE (ticker: NOC).