Embedded Software Architect 5 (AHT)

Posted Yesterday
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North Belridge, CA, USA
In-Office
177K-266K Annually
Expert/Leader
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Architect and lead development of real-time embedded software for missile systems. Design low-level drivers, HAL/OSAL, integrate RTOS (VxWorks), enforce architecture and coding standards, participate in all SDLC phases in Agile, mentor engineers, and collaborate across hardware, software, and systems teams to deliver secure, mission-critical solutions.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At 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.

Northrop Grumman is currently looking for an Embedded Software Architect 5 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. As an integral part of our multi-discipline engineering team in Advanced Weapons.  You will be on the forefront of developing next generation solutions to protect technology for our nation’s warfighters. 

This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position.  Applicants must have an active US Government DoD Secret security clearance with the ability to be cleared for SAP.

The Embedded Software Architect 5 will join our missile systems development team. The ideal candidate will define and architect a secure missile weapon system, collaborating closely with project teams, external partners, and customers. The ideal candidate will have experience in an embedded systems environment, and a background in designing, implementing, and supporting real-time, mission-critical software for advanced missile platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement software for embedded devices and systems based on requirements.
  • Design, develop, code, test, and debug system software, including low-level drivers and board bring-up.
  • Create and maintain hardware-abstraction layers (HAL) and operating-system abstraction layers (OSAL) for embedded systems.
  • Define and enforce architectural guidelines, coding standards, and design patterns across cross-functional teams.
  • Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle in an Agile environment, including requirements verification and validation.
  • Lead integration of real-time operating systems (VxWorks) and ensure deterministic scheduling, priority management, and inter-process communication.
  • Mentor embedded software engineers, conduct code reviews, and provide technical guidance across Hardware, Software, and Systems Engineering disciplines

Basic Qualifications:

  • BS or in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of embedded software experience; or a MS degree with 10+ years of likewise experience; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
  • Previously an architect or lead role on defense or aerospace programs
  • Expertise with RTOS (VxWorks, ThreadX, FreeRTOS, Green Hills INTEGRITY)
  • Experience in developing and troubleshooting low-level embedded software knowledge of embedded systems design principles, including operating systems, threading, and inter-process communication
  • Experience with communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders and exercising technical influence across an organization of embedded software, systems, and hardware engineers
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming and familiarity with Java, Python, or C#
  • Active US Government DoD Secret security clearance with the ability to be cleared for SAP

Preferred Qualifications:

  • In‑depth understanding of weapons systems, real‑time embedded constraints, safety‑critical standards, and secure communications
  • Experience with version-control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, CMake, Make, Yocto)
  • Experience with hardware abstraction layers, peripheral abstraction layers, and OS abstraction layers for portable embedded software across multiple platforms
  • Hands-on experience with pre-emptive, multitasking RTOS environments and OSAL integration
  • Expertise in embedded C++ optimization and integration with VxWorks
  • Familiarity with Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Confluence, Bitbucket, SonarQube)
  • Product-owner experience and ability to translate architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

#LI-MA.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

The 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

  • BS in Computer, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering or related field with 12+ years embedded software experience; or MS with 10+ years (or additional 4 years experience in lieu of degree).
  • Previously served as an architect or lead on defense or aerospace programs.
  • Expertise with RTOS (VxWorks, ThreadX, FreeRTOS, Green Hills INTEGRITY).
  • Experience developing and troubleshooting low-level embedded software, drivers, board bring-up, and embedded systems design principles (threading, IPC).
  • Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming.
  • Active US Government DoD Secret security clearance with ability to be cleared for SAP; U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Ability to work full-time on-site in Northridge, CA (no remote/telework).
  • Experience communicating across technical and non-technical stakeholders and providing technical influence across embedded software, systems, and hardware teams.
  • Experience with VxWorks integration, deterministic scheduling, priority management, and inter-process communication.
  • Willingness to travel (approximately 10% of the time).
  • Familiarity with Java, Python, or C#.
  • Experience with version-control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, CMake, Make, Yocto).
  • Hands-on experience with hardware/peripheral abstraction layers and OS abstraction layers for portable embedded software.
  • In-depth understanding of weapons systems, real-time constraints, safety-critical standards, and secure communications.
  • Familiarity with Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Confluence, Bitbucket) and SonarQube.
  • Product-owner experience and ability to translate architectural concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

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