The Northrop Grumman C2 & Weapons Integration (CWI) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence in Beavercreek, Ohio is seeking an AI Software Engineer. This role supports research and development in areas including Large Language Models (LLMs), natural language processing (NLP), natural language understanding (NLU), natural language generation (NLG), AI‑based decision-making, sensor fusion, data fusion, computer vision, and image processing, with a focus on responsible and explainable AI.
Key Responsibilities
- Define, develop, and deliver mathematical and statistical models and algorithms to address prediction, optimization, and classification problems.
- Apply machine learning algorithms to large structured and unstructured datasets for use cases such as autonomy, pattern recognition, target detection and tracking, recommendation and decision support systems, signals processing, and robotic systems.
- Design, develop, document, test, debug, and deploy AI/ML applications.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deploy AI/ML solutions in development and production environments.
- Prepare and present technical progress and results to internal and external stakeholders.
This position may be filled as a level 1 or 2 based on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications
- Associate AI Software Engineer (Level 1): Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related STEM field with 0 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- AI Software Engineer (Level 2): Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related STEM field with 2 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree in Computer Science or a related STEM field with 0 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Experience implementing and/or applying one or more AI models and algorithms (for example: LLMs, deep neural networks, genetic algorithms, embedding models, deep learning architectures).
- Experience developing systems using AI/ML frameworks and libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, or Scikit‑learn.
- Experience across the ML pipeline, including:
- Working with novel or heterogeneous datasets.
- Data processing and preparation.
- Training and fine‑tuning ML systems.
- Modifying existing deep learning architectures and implementing models from architecture diagrams.
- Evaluating system performance using established and custom metrics and methods.
- Ability to perform rapid prototyping and proof‑of‑concept implementations.
- General familiarity with applied machine learning concepts, including multilayer perceptrons, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent architectures such as LSTMs, transformer models, supervised and unsupervised learning methods, reinforcement learning methods, and statistical or graphical models.
- General familiarity with computational and statistical learning theory.
- Experience with web application development frameworks such as Flask or FastAPI.
- Understanding of software engineering practices, including use of source control and basic software architecture concepts.
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance with CI Poly
Preferred Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly
- Experience with AWS or other commercial cloud computing platforms.
- Experience with microservice architectures and related practices, including containerization and container orchestration technologies.
- Familiarity with explainable AI, adversarial AI, active learning, and third‑wave AI approaches.
- Familiarity with DevOps, DevSecOps, and/or MLOps concepts and workflows.
- Familiarity with Linux-based operating systems.
- Experience working independently to plan and execute technical tasks.
- Hands-on experience with LLMs (e.g., prompt design/engineering, use of LLM development frameworks, fine‑tuning, or model quantization).
- Experience with modeling and simulation.
- Experience using vector databases and/or graph databases.
#PWRTA3
Primary Level Salary Range: $83,800.00 - $125,800.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $101,000.00 - $151,400.00The 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related STEM field (or additional experience in lieu of degree)
- 0-2 years relevant experience (position may be filled at Level 1 with 0 years or Level 2 with 2 years)
- Experience implementing or applying AI models and algorithms (e.g., LLMs, deep neural networks, embedding models)
- Experience with AI/ML frameworks and libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, or Scikit-learn
- Experience across the ML pipeline: data processing, training/fine-tuning, modifying architectures, and evaluating performance
- Ability to perform rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept implementations
- Familiarity with multilayer perceptrons, CNNs, LSTMs, transformer models, reinforcement learning, and statistical learning theory
- Experience with web application frameworks such as Flask or FastAPI
- Understanding of software engineering practices including source control and basic software architecture concepts
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance with CI Poly
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
