Chief Technical Architect (Sr Staff Systems Architect)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: 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 Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Chief Technical Architect for the Integrated Mission Solutions Operating Unit (OU) in Warner Robins, GA. The role will serve as a technology catalyst for the OU – turning ideas into funded IRADs, building a reusable‑technology ecosystem, and driving both lead and support positions in new‑market captures.

Key responsibilities

• Manage IRAD efforts end‑to‑end – generate concepts, write business cases and proposals, plan execution, and track results against BU/Division strategic goals.
• Lead cross‑organization technical collaboration on IRAD and competitive captures (cross BU, Division, Sector).
• Analyze sector, division and BU technology roadmaps, pinpoint emerging capabilities and market opportunities to leverage or augment, develop OU technologies that complement those roadmaps, apply solutions where the OU can lead, and supply capability support for franchise pursuits—giving the OU a strategic seat at the table while unlocking new market opportunities.
• Consult on and lead technical solutioning for technology‑based capture efforts; consult on system architectures for key new development programs, participate in proposal development and reviews.
• Facilitate and support the OU Engineering Department Manager in driving technology reuse, modular architectures, a product‑mindset, and collaboration between technical leads and chief engineers across the OU and the programs they represent.
• Support the OU Engineering Department Manager and contracts on tracking IP and data‑rights stewardship from conception through delivery to protect NG‑owned technology.

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor’s STEM degree + 14 years experience, or Master’s + 12 years, or PhD + 10 years.
• Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance.
• Proven capability in timely delivery of both RFI and RFP responses including white paper generation, technical solutioning, basis of estimates, and technical volume creation.
• Proven research and design planning and execution (could be IRAD, CRAD, early EMD).
• Experience architecting and deploying technical solutions across multiple programs and fostering cross‑program knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, decisive judgment with limited data, and strong problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for communication with technical and business leadership.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in multiple aspects and domains of the design and delivery of electronic based systems for military applications including (ruggedized hardware design, embedded software, and/or firmware)
• Background as a technical authority, chief engineer, or chief architect for a large program/organization.
• Rapid problem space decomposition (i.e. can build system architecture diagrams, block diagrams, sequence diagrams, in a quick timeframe)
• Experience with system of system solution and architecting
• Has demonstratable experience in situations with minimal data and loose requirements which requires technical solutions. Understands paths to acquire necessary data for solutioning.
• Domain knowledge in electronic warfare (EW), cUAS, sensors, radar, and/or payloads
• Demonstrated experience in development and building a business case and doing market assessments

Primary Level Salary Range: $166,509.00 - $249,700.00
The 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.