Senior Principal Engineer Systems Architect

Company: Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU)
Location: Fairfax
Posted on: May 7, 2025

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE TYPE: NoneTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.We are seeking a highly skilled Digital Manufacturing Solutions Architect to design and implement a Unified Namespace (UNS) architecture for our manufacturing operations. This role will be responsible for architecting scalable, secure, and efficient data systems that integrate IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) environments. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in data architecture, systems engineering, and software engineering for industrial applications.This position can be virtual/work from home but requires you to be within commuting distance to Linthicum MD, Redondo Beach, CA or Rolling Meadows, IL or any other Northrop Grumman location. There will be periodic on-site travel (25%) to Northrop Grumman locations required.Key Responsibilities

• Design & Deploy UNS Architecture: Develop and implement a UNS framework to unify real-time data flow across IT and OT systems.
• Data Architecture & Integration: Define data models and pipelines to ensure interoperability between manufacturing systems (PLC, SCADA, MES) and enterprise IT applications (ERP, PLM).
• Data Operations: Assist in the definition of a data operation strategy to drive insights out of data streaming from the shop floor. Up to and including AI and ML Ops.
• System & Software Engineering: Architect, develop, and optimize for scale, software solutions for secure and high-performance data exchange across manufacturing environments.
• Connectivity & Industrial Protocols: Work with industrial protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, Modbus, etc.) to establish seamless data communication with a UNS.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: Ensure IT/OT security best practices align with industry standards such as ISA/IEC 62443.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Partner with cross-functional teams-including manufacturing, IT, operations, and automation engineers-to drive digital transformation initiatives.
• Scalability & Performance: Optimize system architecture for high availability, scalability, and resilience in a global manufacturing landscape.Qualifications & Skills
  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Industrial Automation, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience: 10+ years in IT/OT software architecture, database design, and IIoT systems engineering. Hands-on experience with industrial data platforms and UNS architecture (HighByte Intelligence Hub, Ignition, HiveMQ, etc.). Strong understanding of cloud, edge computing, and IIoT technologies. Expertise in database management (SQL, NoSQL, Time-Series Databases). Experience with event-driven architectures and data streaming (Kafka, MQTT, etc.). Proficiency in Python, C#, Java, or similar programming languages for industrial applications.
  • Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of SCADA, MES, ERP, and IT/OT convergence. Experience with industrial data historians (OSIsoft PI, Ignition, Aveva, etc.). Strong grasp of networking, cybersecurity, and cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). Familiarity with ISA-95, ISA/IEC 62443, and NIST frameworks.Preferred Qualifications
    • Certifications in Cloud Architecture (AWS, Azure) or Industrial Cybersecurity (ISA/IEC 62443, CISSP, etc.).
    • Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and advanced analytics.
    • Background in AI/ML-driven predictive maintenance and digital twin technologies.Why Join Us?
      • Opportunity to shape the future of IT/OT integration in a leading manufacturing environment.
      • Work with cutting-edge IIoT, AI, and cloud technologies.
      • Collaborative and innovative culture driving Industry 4.0 initiatives.
      • Competitive compensation, benefits, and professional growth opportunities.If you are passionate about digital manufacturing transformation and have a proven track record in IT/OT architecture, we encourage you to apply!Salary Range: $131,100.00 - $196,700.00The 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.
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Keywords: Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU), Leesburg , Senior Principal Engineer Systems Architect, Other , Fairfax, Virginia