JIRA Backlog Architect - SWC

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field. Also requires 5+ years of job-related experience, or a Master's degree plus 3 years of job-related experience. Agile experience preferred.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Department of Defense Secret security clearance is obtainable within a reasonable amount of time after hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

As a Strategic Weapons Control (SWC) JIRA Backlog Architect (Adv Sys Engr) within the Mission Systems Maritime organization, you will lead the design, governance, and deployment of a unified enterprise backlog architecture that connects strategic objectives, engineering requirements, and execution activities across multiple programs.

You will define how the company plans, tracks, and delivers work as it transitions from program-centric execution toward product-based management, enabling agility, transparency, and scalability across product lines. This high-impact opportunity will help shape the SWC enterprise’s digital backbone for engineering execution and creating the inter-team structure required to sustain execution while preparing for imminent future business growth.

You will partner with Engineering Leadership across SWC to design workflows, governance models, and data structures that bridge Waterfall and Agile lifecycles, ensuring consistency between requirements, schedules, and performance metrics within JIRA.

We encourage you to apply if you have any of these preferred skills or experiences:

• Experience designing and managing large-scale JIRA environments fully integrating long range roadmaps to multiple programs, product lines, and product teams.
• Expertise in backlog architecture design, including hierarchical mapping (epic → feature → story).
• Familiarity with EVMS processes, including alignment of JIRA workflows with cost and schedule performance baselines.
• Proven ability to translate complex system architectures and program structures into scalable Agile backlogs.
• Knowledge of Atlassian REST APIs, Automation for JIRA, and JQL for analytics, automation, and reporting preferred.
• Experience establishing governance frameworks, dashboards, and templates for consistent backlog management across distributed teams.
• Understanding of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and requirements traceability tools (e.g., DOORS, Confluence, or similar).
• SAFe, PMP, or PMI-ACP certification preferred but not required.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills to drive adoption and alignment across disciplines.

What sets you apart:

• Visionary mindset with the ability to connect enterprise strategy to practical implementation.
• Demonstrated success leading Agile transformation and backlog standardization in complex engineering organizations.
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking approach to structure large-scale, multi-domain environments.
• Collaborative leader capable of influencing technical, financial, and program management teams.
• Commitment to process excellence, digital integration, and scalable growth.

Business Impact: 

This position defines the enterprise blueprint for execution and scalability of the SWC portfolio. The JIRA Backlog Architect will introduce and institutionalize a unified backlog framework that integrates engineering, finance, and management across programs — forming the foundation of the portfolio’s productization strategy. By standardizing how the enterprise captures, prioritizes, and delivers work, this role directly enables future scalability, faster program transitions, and competitive agility in upcoming contracts. The architect’s work will not only modernize how we manage today’s systems but will determine how future programs are structured, staffed, and sustained across the entire product lifecycle.

Our Commitment to You:

• An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development. 
• Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
• Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
• Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
• See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

Workplace Options:
This position is fully on-site OR Hybrid/Flex 3x/week from site.
While on-site, you will be a part of the Pittsfield, MA.

#LI-Hybrid

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans