Roshan Roeder
B.S., Computer Engineering, 2001
Induction year: 2025
Northrop Grumman hired Roshan Roeder as a software engineer shortly after earning her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech. More than two decades later, she now leads 20,000+ employees as corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, a role she’s held since 2024. “I’m using engineering to really make a difference by providing global defense technology that equips the U.S. government and our allies to protect the world,” Roeder said.
Virginia Tech rose to the top of Roeder’s college list because it was the best engineering school close to her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, and her brother was an electrical engineering alumnus. Now the university is definitely a family affair: Roeder married a fellow student, and together they have two daughters who have their own dreams of one day attending Virginia Tech.
Professional roles:
- Corporate Vice President and President, Mission Systems Sector, Northrop Grumman, 2024-Present
- Corporate Vice President and President, Defense Systems Sector, Northrop Grumman, 2022-2024
- Vice President and General Manager, Northrop Grumman, 2020-2022
- Vice President, Program Management, Northrop Grumman, 2016-2020
- Program Director, Northrop Grumman, 2013-2016
- Director of Engineering, Northrop Grumman, 2011-2013
- Chief Engineer, Northrop Grumman, 2010-2011
- Embedded SW Engineer, Northrop Grumman, 2002-2010
- Computer Engineer, Alcatel, 2000-2001
Boards and committees:
- Board of Visitors of Engineering, University of Maryland, 2021-2025
- Innovation Campus Advisory Board, Virginia Tech, 2024-present
- Maryland Business Roundtable, 2024-present
Awards and honors:
- Commencement Speaker, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, 2023
- Washington 100 Award, Executive Mosaic, 2023
- National Women of Color in Technology All Star Award, Career Communications Group, 2009
- Shipbuilding General Managers Award for Excellence, Machinery Control Systems (LHD-8), Northrop Grumman, 2009
Why did you decide to come to Virginia Tech?
Best engineering school that was close to my hometown. My brother graduated with an electrical engineering degree from Virginia Tech. I also knew others that were attending the university.
What led you to your chosen profession?
Using engineering to really make a difference by providing global defense technology that equips the U.S. Government and our allies to protect the world.
What was the moment in your career that you felt like you made it – that you were really proud of yourself for what you had accomplished?
Watching the B-21 rollout event for Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Additionally, when I received my role of Corporate Vice President and President of our Defense Systems Sector at Northrop Grumman in 2022. Defense is one of only four sectors in the company.
What advice would you share with your younger self just starting off in your career?
You don’t have to be perfect in everything that you do in an innovative industry that pushes the boundaries of technology to protect the world.
What is one of your favorite memories from Virginia Tech?
Playing the intramural co-ed basketball championship game in Cassell Coliseum.
What are the areas of experience and focus you’ve had across your career?
My professional experience spans a broad spectrum of global defense capabilities including a wide range of missiles, tactical weapons and components, all domain command and control architectures, integrated battle command systems, air and ground sensors, advanced military communications, network architectures and support systems, transformational computing, ship-based power and machinery control systems, simulation test and training, and sustainment and modernization capabilities. These systems deliver survivable, secure, resilient, and precise solutions that enable our nation and its allies to detect, protect, and deter our adversaries.
Please note: Inductee spotlight is as of the year of their induction.