Graduate Software Engineer
Salary: £32,500
Programme start date: September 2027
Citizenship required: UK citizenship required
Security clearance: Security Check (SC)
Travel required: Approximately 10%
Location: Cheltenham
Working arrangement: Flexible working options subject to the role and programme needs
Hours: Full-time
Requisition ID: R10251077
What’s your possible?
At Northrop Grumman UK, you’ll be part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible. This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.
This is more than just a job. It’s a mission.
Ready to begin your software engineering career by developing technology that supports strategically important national defence programmes?
As a Graduate Software Engineer, you will contribute to pioneering projects that use innovative technologies to solve complex customer challenges. Working closely with our customers and experienced engineering teams, you will help create software-centric capabilities that enable them to perform their missions successfully.
You will join collaborative Agile development teams made up of experienced engineers and early careers professionals. Depending on your project and development plan, you could work with technologies and approaches including artificial intelligence, microservices, web-oriented architectures, cloud technologies, enterprise integration patterns and open-source products.
This is an opportunity to strengthen your technical expertise, explore different areas of software engineering and contribute to work with real purpose.
Our Graduate Programme
Our structured two-year Graduate Programme is designed to help you turn your academic knowledge and coding experience into practical software engineering expertise.
Starting in September 2027, the programme combines on-the-job learning with technical, professional and leadership skills development. There may also be opportunities to rotate across projects, giving you exposure to different types of work and helping you explore your technical interests.
You will have a personalised development plan agreed with your line manager, alongside support from a dedicated mentor, buddy, project lead and line manager. From the beginning, you will contribute to meaningful projects while learning from experienced software professionals.
What you’ll do
- Design, develop and improve software that helps customers achieve their missions
- Write clear, effective code using languages such as Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++
- Work within Agile development teams to deliver high-quality software
- Apply software engineering practices across the development lifecycle
- Collaborate with colleagues to understand requirements and develop innovative solutions
- Deliver agreed requirements within appropriate timescales and help take projects through to completion
Along the way, you could develop experience in:
- Cybersecurity
- Software architecture and design
- Systems and application development
- Artificial intelligence and microservices
- Web-oriented architectures and cloud technologies
- Enterprise integration patterns and open-source products
- Agile methodologies and DevSecOps tools
What we’re looking for
We are looking for graduates who are passionate about software development and computing, enjoy solving challenging problems and want to use technology to make a meaningful difference. You will be curious, analytical and ready to contribute within a collaborative team environment.
Essential:
- A relevant degree, achieved or on target to be achieved, such as Software Engineering or Computer Science (or can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills through work experience or other training)
- A genuine passion for software development and computing
- Experience writing code in a relevant programming language, such as Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++
- An understanding of the software development lifecycle
- Strong analytical skills and logical reasoning
- The ability to work towards agreed requirements and timescales
- The potential to contribute to projects through to their conclusion
Desired:
- The ability to approach problems creatively and develop innovative solutions
We welcome applications from candidates who have gained relevant skills outside of traditional degree routes. If you've built your expertise through work experience, an apprenticeship, professional certifications, bootcamps, open-source contributions, or significant personal projects, then we encourage your application.
If you do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Sometimes people hesitate because they cannot tick every box. If this opportunity interests you and you believe you could grow into the role, we would like to hear from you.
Security clearance
Due to the nature of our work, you must have Sole UK citizenship and be able to gain and maintain UK Government Security Check clearance in line with the requirements of the role.
Our recruitment team is on hand to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Contact [email protected] for further information.
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including hybrid arrangements and compressed fortnights with every other Friday off
- Private healthcare, dental, life assurance and pension
- Flexible benefits package, including critical illness cover and a health cash plan
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Career development programmes
- Annual performance incentive programme
Why join us?
- A Mission to Believe In: Every day, we contribute to building a more secure and connected world.
- A Place to Belong and Thrive: Every voice matters. Find community and belonging through our employee networks and get involved with STEM volunteering events.
- Your Career, Your Way: Discover your possible through diverse roles, mentorship and development opportunities tailored to your ambitions.
Ready to apply?
Yes: Submit your application online.
Possibly: If you would like to learn more about the programme, the role or the security clearance process, contact [email protected].
Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.
Skills Required
- Relevant degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent knowledge and skills
- Passion for software development and computing
- Experience writing code in Python, JavaScript, Java, C/C++, or another relevant programming language
- Understanding of the software development lifecycle
- Strong analytical skills and logical reasoning
- Ability to work toward agreed requirements and timescales
- Potential to contribute to projects through completion
- Creative problem-solving and ability to develop innovative solutions
- Sole UK citizenship
- Ability to gain and maintain UK Government Security Check clearance
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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.
