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General Dynamics Mission Systems · 1 month ago

JIRA Backlog Architect - SWC

Pittsfield, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$145K/yr - $155K/yr

8+ years exp

General Dynamics Mission Systems is a leader in engineering high technology solutions for defense and scientific missions. The JIRA Backlog Architect will be responsible for leading the development of a unified backlog framework that integrates engineering and management across programs, enhancing the scalability and agility of the enterprise.

AerospaceBusiness Information SystemsInformation ServicesInformation TechnologyNational SecuritySensor

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead the design, governance, and deployment of a unified enterprise backlog architecture that connects strategic objectives, engineering requirements, and execution activities across multiple programs

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

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

Qualification

JIRA managementBacklog architecture designAgile transformationEVMS processesAtlassian REST APIsModel-Based Systems EngineeringSAFe certificationPMP certificationPMI-ACP certificationCommunication skillsLeadership skills

Required

Requires a Bachelors degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering, Technology or Mathematics field

Also requires 8+ years of job-related experience, or a Master's degree plus 6 years of job-related experience

Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of 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

Preferred

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

Benefits

Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more

Company

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Glassdoor3.9

General Dynamics Mission Systems designs and delivers critical systems and products for defense and cybersecurity customers. It is a sub-organization of General Dynamics.

Founded in 1952

Fairfax, Virginia, USA

10001+ employees