SkillBridge Program Description:
As one of the largest global security companies in the world, Northrop Grumman is proud to help our nation’s military personnel navigate their next chapter into civilian careers. Approximately 20% of Northrop Grumman’s 100,000 employees self-identify as veterans, and more than 2,000 are reservists.
The Northrop Grumman SkillBridge Program is an approved SkillBridge Program under Dept. of Defense Instruction 1322.29. The program is an opportunity for service members preparing for civilian careers to gain valuable civilian work experience during their last 6 months of service, for up to 180 days. The SkillBridge Program is open to all ranks and experience levels. SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from Northrop Grumman, as they continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active-duty service members.
Responsibilities for SkillBridge Program participation are:
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has developed the Northrop Grumman – SkillBridge Program (SkillBridge) utilizing the DoDI guidance for SkillBridge. Through this program, the service-member will work on site with their host company, gaining experience in an entry to mid-level career path. The service member will be on the job training supporting a work schedule equivalent to 40hrs per week. Outlined below are the Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for the program.
Goals – Provide separating service-members with job skills training in a professional setting during the final phase of their military service. This program is specifically designed to offer hands-on experience that result in the potential to convert to a full-time opportunity as the conclusion of the training. Participants will serve as a pipeline for high-speed, motivated military candidates into NGC.
Objectives - Service Members who complete the SkillBridge program will be highly trained, capable, future employees that align to the specific needs of the organization and are prepared to meet the NG mission “Defining Possible” on Day 1. This program provides comprehensive hands-on experience including professional development, networking with leadership, and training specifically focused on NG leadership principles, company history, customer/stakeholder engagement, product and service overview, and core job responsibilities.
Outcome – Offer service-members preparing for civilian careers a rewarding opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team.
SkillBridge Eligibility:
Has served at least 180 days on active duty
Is within 12 months of separation or retirement
Will receive an honorable discharge
Has taken any service TAPS/TGPS
Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months
Received Unit Commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in SkillBridge Program prior to start of internship.
About our organization: As an engineer, you'll be joining our growing Aurora Software department which has 200+ Software Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Systems Administrator, Database Administrator, and Network Engineer peers from entry-level to the most senior chief engineers and architects. We have plenty of opportunities for career advancement into higher level technical roles or leadership positions. Our Software Department is part of a larger organization that includes Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test staff as well as a Hardware Engineering unit. This larger organization influences cross-program collaboration, professional development and training, as well as engagement and inclusion activities such as lunch-n-learns, campus events, and leadership mixers.
We support a small but mighty team that continues to innovate and set new benchmarks for our customers. If this sounds like an opportunity for you, Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector would love to have you join our team as a (level 1 or level 2) Software Engineer based out of Aurora, CO.
The new Software Engineer will be on an Agile team supporting two programs with a singular baseline. Will be working in the office executing 2-week Sprints for 3-month increment deliveries. Your focus will be to design, develop, and maintain robust Java applications that meet business requirements and deliver high-performance, scalable solutions.
Basic Qualifications:
- Level 1: Bachelor’s degree in science with 0+ years of software development experience; or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree.
- Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in science with 2+ years of software development experience; 0+ years with a Master's; or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree.
- Requires an active Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility at time of application.
- Experience working with RESTful APIs and microservices.
- Must have a thorough understanding of the Java Programming Language.
- Familiarity with version control using Git and workflows on platforms such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
- Demonstrated success with Agile processes.
- Experience integrating with SQL and/or NoSQL databases.
- Firm understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CompTIA Security+ Certification.
- Experience with Linux.
- Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams.
- Understanding of peer review processes and feature iterations.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in science and 0+ years of software development experience for Level 1
- Bachelor's degree in science and 2+ years of software development experience for Level 2
- Master's degree with 0+ years of software development experience for Level 2
- Four additional years of experience in lieu of a degree
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility at application
- Experience with RESTful APIs and microservices
- Thorough understanding of Java
- Familiarity with Git and GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket workflows
- Demonstrated success with Agile processes
- Experience integrating with SQL and/or NoSQL databases
- Firm understanding of the software development lifecycle
- CompTIA Security+ certification
- Experience with Linux
- Experience working with cross-functional teams
- Understanding of peer review processes and feature iterations
- SkillBridge eligibility, including 180 days active duty, separation within 12 months, honorable discharge, TAPS/TGPS completion, ethics briefing, and commander authorization
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.
