Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Software Development Lead – Software Engineering Manager 2 to join our team in Rancho Bernardo, CA. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) construct.
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.
This position is a combination of technical scope supporting the IPT Lead as the SW Development Team Lead and functional management responsibilities serving as a Software Section Manager.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
- Provide Functional Management to direct reports, including career guidance, performance management, staffing, interviewing/onboarding, disciplinary actions, and direct engagement.
- Lead Agile Scrum teams in design, implementation, test, and delivery of embedded software across multiple baselines and contracts
- Work with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and hardware interfaces (1553, Serial, Ethernet/IP, etc.)
- Own budget, schedule, and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) reporting; coordinate with Integrated Product Team (IPT) leads, architects, and product owners
- Manage product quality, risk identification, and remediation, support program reviews
- Collaborate with systems engineering, program management, and other functional teams to meet company quality standards and contract-specified cost, schedule, and technical objectives
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 9 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 7 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
- 4+years of recent experience with at least two of: C, C++, Python
- Hands-on experience with a real-time OS (VxWorks, INTEGRITY, Real-Time Linux, etc.)
- Knowledge of embedded software architecture and hardware interface impacts
- Familiarity with most of these data interfaces: 1553, Serial, Discrete & Analog I/O, Ethernet/IP, and Fiber Channel
- Strong communication, organizational, and time-management skills
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs. Initial PAR is not required to onboard.
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
- An advanced STEM degree
- Prior functional or engineering management experience
- Experience developing proposal inputs, cost account management, and resource planning
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 9 years related engineering experience OR Master's with 7 years OR PhD with 4 years
- 4+ years recent experience with at least two of: C, C++, Python
- Hands-on experience with a real-time OS (VxWorks, INTEGRITY, Real-Time Linux, etc.)
- Knowledge of embedded software architecture and hardware interface impacts
- Familiarity with data interfaces: 1553, Serial, Discrete & Analog I/O, Ethernet/IP, Fiber Channel
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance with background investigation within past 5 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) access via Program Access Request (PAR) and subsequent PARs as needed
- Strong communication, organizational, and time-management skills
- Ability to work full-time on-site in Rancho Bernardo, CA (no remote/hybrid)
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with government clearance)
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Advanced STEM degree (preferred)
- Prior functional or engineering management experience (preferred)
- Experience developing proposal inputs, cost account management, and resource planning (preferred)
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.
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