
Staff C2E Software Architect
Job Description
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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Senior - Software architect with 20+ years of experience designing, engineering, and field deploying, multi level systems that span cloud, edge, and government furnished hardware/software (GFX/GFE). The role will own end to end architecture for cross domain and multi level security (Red/Black) solution, guide cloud migration to Microsoft Azure, and lead technical teams through concept, development, integration, and operational sustainment. This position is located in El Segundo, CA or Redondo Beach, CA.
Key Responsibilities
Functional requirements development – Elicit, write, and prioritize functional requirements.
System engineering decomposition – Translate functional requirements into hardware and software architectures; define all interfaces.
Cameo Systems Modeler support – Guide development of Activity, Internal Block Diagram (IBD), and Block Definition Diagram (BDD) models.
Cyber architecture (JSIG/NIST) breakdown – Convert limited cyber requirements into detailed design artifacts.
Zero Trust, Role-based access control (RBAC) & Identity and access management (IAM) design – Architect Zero Trust networks, role based access controls, and IAM workflow diagrams.
Content Security Policy / Ground segment / Data center architecture – Design on prem, hybrid, edge, and CSP integrated solutions.
Multi Level & Cross Domain Solutions – Define processing levels, CD S interfaces, and data-filtering mechanisms.
Network architecture expertise – Micro segmentation, resiliency, network/security operations center (NOC/SOC) planning.
Automation & IaC – Implement Ansible, Terraform, PowerShell, Python, etc., for repeatable provisioning.
CI/CD pipeline ownership – Build, test, and deploy software and infrastructure across the lifecycle.
Integration test planning & execution – Create test plans, validate data flows, verify real time command paths.
GRA / GFx / Open System software experience – Leverage open system architectures for mission critical software.
Container & VM experience – Deploy Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper V, KVM, etc., in hardened environments.
Secure / hardened / COTS integration – Incorporate DoD grade, GFx hardened, secure boot components.
Leadership / team coordination – Serve as lead engineer, IPT lead, technical manager, and mentor for junior staff.
Domain expertise – Defense, aerospace, missile, and mission critical C2 systems.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and at least 12 years’ experience, or STEM master’s degree with 10 years’ experience, or a STEM PHD with 8 years’ experience.
Experience: 8+ years of architecting secure, distributed solutions
Core Technical Expertise: Cross Domain Solutions, Multi Level Security (Red/Black), Microsoft Azure, Cloud & distributed hardware architecture, Government furnished hardware/software (GFX/GFE), Field deployable systems
Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated Top Secret clearance & SCI (DoD must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
Security Standards: NIST, JSIG, NSA, DoD Cyber-risk frameworks
Leadership: Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical teams and manage large-scale IPTs
Preferred Qualifications:
Cloud Platforms: AWS (including GovCloud), Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Database Management: Design & administration of relational & NoSQL databases
Virtualization & VDI: Hypervisor deployments (VMware, Hyper V, KVM) and VDI
InfoSec Frameworks: NIST 800 53, NIST CSF, NSA security guidelines
DevOps & Automation: Ansible, Terraform, PowerShell, Python, CI/CD tooling (GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
Zero Trust Architecture: Deep experience building Zero Trust networks and IAM/RBAC models
Edge & Ground Segment: Experience with edge computing nodes, field segment integration, and data center design (on prem, hybrid, multi cloud)
COTS Integration: DoD grade COTS, GFx hardened, secure boot
Agile Combat Employment (ACE): Philosophical understanding of system employment in ACE.
Education & Certifications (Preferred)
MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Certified Cloud Architect (Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Google Professional Cloud Architect)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or equivalent
DoD DoDI 8510.01 (Risk Management Framework) certification
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Job Details
- Category
- Software
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- El Segundo; United States-California-Redondo Beach, CA
- Posted
- Apr 25, 2026, 08:00 PM
- Listed
- Apr 26, 2026, 01:21 PM
- Compensation
- $177,000 - $265,600 per year
About Northrop Grumman
Part of the growing frontier tech ecosystem pushing the edges of what's possible.
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