If forging a secure future excites you, look no further! Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector provides an arena where your passion for innovation and quest for exploration is welcome. As a Graphics Simulation Software Engineer– Level 3 or 4, your role at Dulles, VA will be pivotal in supporting mission-critical efforts to national and global security.
Ready to join forces with our visionary team?
A Graphics Simulation Software Engineer develops spacecraft 3D models and contributes to graphics software within the full software lifecycle. They perform graphical modeling and simulation across multiple projects using C/C++, Python, and 3D tools such as Blender. Preferred candidates have experience modeling sensors, actuators, and space environments to demonstrate closed-loop spacecraft performance and support aerospace integration and test. Knowledge of waterfall, spiral, and Agile methods, along with CI/DevSecOps tools like Jenkins, Jira, Bitbucket, and GitLab, is also valuable.
This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Engineers on our teams all participate in the following activities:
Plan, organize, and be involved in the full software lifecycle to develop spacecraft simulation software using state-of-the-art tools and software best practices.
Develop models to support modeling and simulation activities across multiple projects.
Establish simulation requirements.
Work with other engineering disciplines to integrate and validate space vehicle modeling and simulation.
Prepare design documentation, analysis, test results, and presentation materials for internal and external customers.
In this role, engineers will also:
Convert engineering spacecraft CAD models into optimized 3D visualizer tool models, using software such as Blender.
Develop software interaction between the simulated spacecraft components and the 3D visualization models.
Contribute to our ever-expanding graphical capabilities of the spacecraft simulation architecture using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar.
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or a Level 4.
Basic Qualifications for Level 3:
Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of relevant professional experience. (Degree should be in Software/Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a similar technical program with a computer graphics emphasis.)
Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret [TS] security clearance, current and within scope, at time of application [US citizenship required]
3D graphics development, using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar
Diverse programming proficiency: C/C++, Python
Experience building models and simulations
Able to develop in both Windows and Linux environments
Basic Qualifications for Level 4:
Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of relevant professional experience. (Degree should be in Software/Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a similar technical program with a computer graphics emphasis.)
Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret [TS] security clearance, current and within scope, at time of application [US citizenship required]
3D graphics development, using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar
Diverse programming proficiency: C/C++, Python
Experience building models and simulations
Able to develop in both Windows and Linux environments
Preferred Qualifications:
System knowledge in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft Command & Control, Mission Planning, Space Situational Awareness and Visualization
Hardware interfacing, integration and test and controls experience
Agile development methodology, specifically Scrum, using Jira
Understanding of common embedded system tools, real-time operating systems and avionics integration and test practices
Usage and configuration of DevOps/CI/CD technologies (Jenkins, Ansible, Docker, etc.)
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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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, Master's, or PhD in Software/Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or similar (with required years of relevant experience per level)
- Active U.S. Government Top-Secret (TS) security clearance at time of application (U.S. citizenship required)
- 3D graphics development using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar
- Proficiency in C and C++ and Python
- Experience building models and simulations, including converting CAD to optimized 3D visualizer models
- Ability to develop in both Windows and Linux environments
- Relevant professional experience (Level 3: typically 3-5+ years; Level 4: typically 6-8+ years depending on degree)
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.






