Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Ground SW Engineer: C/C++ Simulation – Level 3 or Level 4 located in Chandler, AZ, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Role Summary
In this role, you will develop and integrate ground support equipment (GSE) software, simulators, and test tools in a Linux-based, classified development environment. The work is centered primarily on object-oriented C/C++ development, with Java also supporting the environment. This role includes simulation and test tool development, GSE and core application development, hardware/software interface support, system integration, troubleshooting, and software life-cycle activities including requirements, design documentation, peer reviews, testing, and configuration management. At the higher level, this role may also include technical leadership responsibilities such as guiding less-experienced engineers, supporting schedules and program/customer discussions, and helping drive work through integration and delivery.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
In this job, you will
- Design, develop, test, and integrate ground support equipment (GSE) software, simulators, and test tools.
- Develop simulation and test-tool software, as well as GSE and core application software, in support of mission needs.
- Perform object-oriented software development primarily in C/C++, with Java in a Linux environment.
- Create software requirements specifications and design documentation.
- Participate in peer reviews, configuration management, and other software-process activities.
- Support hardware/software interface development, simulator deployment, system integration, and troubleshooting.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and apply sound engineering judgment to resolve them.
- Collaborate with embedded, GNC, systems, test, and other engineering partners in an integration-heavy environment.
- Develop, test, and integrate software in a classified work environment.
- At the higher level, support technical leadership activities, schedules, and program/customer discussions, as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team.
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 Level 4.
Basic Qualifications for Level 3
- Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 5 years of professional experience; or Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience; or PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
- Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at the time of application, with ability to obtain additional program access as required.
- Professional experience developing object-oriented software in C or C++ in a Linux environment.
- Professional experience developing, integrating, or testing software for simulators, ground support equipment, test tools, embedded systems, or closely related real-time or mission-critical applications.
Basic Qualifications for Level 4
- Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 8 years of professional experience; or Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience; or PhD with 4 years of professional experience. Additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
- Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at the time of application, with ability to obtain additional program access as required.
- Professional experience developing object-oriented software in C or C++ in a Linux environment.
- Professional experience developing, integrating, or testing software for simulators, ground support equipment, test tools, embedded systems, or closely related real-time or mission-critical applications.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Java software development.
- Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools, including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and software delivery workflows.
- Experience in RTOS environments or with real-time applications.
- Experience with simulation development.
- Experience with HWIL, computer-in-the-loop, integration labs, test stands, or mission or flight-critical systems.
- Experience with Python for scripting, automation, or test support.
- Experience with software integration, troubleshooting, hardware/software interface support, or software deployment in lab or classified environments.
- Experience collaborating across software, embedded, GNC, systems, test, or EE teams in an integration-heavy environment.
- Experience leading technical efforts, guiding less-experienced engineers, or owning work products through integration and delivery.
Learn More
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Benefits
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 5 years of professional experience, or Master's degree with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year; 4+ additional years may substitute for the degree for Level 3.
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years of professional experience, or Master's degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years; 4+ additional years may substitute for the degree for Level 4.
- Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at the time of application.
- Ability to obtain additional program access as required.
- Professional experience developing object-oriented software in C or C++ in a Linux environment.
- Professional experience developing, integrating, or testing software for simulators, ground support equipment, test tools, embedded systems, or related real-time or mission-critical applications.
- Experience with Java software development.
- Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools, including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and software delivery workflows.
- Experience in RTOS environments or with real-time applications.
- Experience with simulation development.
- Experience with HWIL, computer-in-the-loop, integration labs, test stands, or mission- or flight-critical systems.
- Experience with Python for scripting, automation, or test support.
- Experience with software integration, troubleshooting, hardware/software interface support, or software deployment in lab or classified environments.
- Experience collaborating across software, embedded, GNC, systems, test, or electrical engineering teams.
- Experience leading technical efforts, guiding less-experienced engineers, or owning work products through integration and delivery.
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.







