Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector is looking for you to join our team as a Software Engineer Level 3 or 4 based out of Morrisville, NC, located within North Carolina’s storied Research Triangle metropolitan region.
What You’ll get to Do: We are looking for a Software Engineer familiar with Java and/or Python who wants to work on an agile development team using modern development practices. You will be working on mostly new development using Docker containers, Kubernetes, Helm charts and AWS services. You will also be required to perform maintenance and sustainment engineering for existing baselines which may require programming in C++/C.
Our small agile Scrum team is highly energized and has a significant software effort on a growing program with a large program impact. If this is your type of environment and you love fast-paced software development, please consider joining our team.
This is a great opportunity for a flexible self-starter to work in a dynamic environment with real world technical content supporting a number of tools and systems. Plenty of opportunities for career advancement into leadership positions.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on the qualifications listed below. This requisition may be filled at either the Principal Software Engineer or the Senior Principal Software Engineer level.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Software Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or other STEM-related degree with 5 + years of software development experience; 3 years with a Master's; 1 Year with PhD.
Senior Principal Software Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or other STEM-related degree with 8 + years of software development experience; 6 years with a Master's; 4 years with a PhD.
Requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI, with a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CI-Poly). Approval must be obtained within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the company, to meet business needs. No Clearance required to start; US Citizenship required.
Demonstrated experience with/expertise in the following:
Agile software development using Java, Python and/or C++ software development in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux environment
Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools
Dockerization and Container Management (Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm)
Systems Development in a Cloud environment (e.g., AWS environment and tools)
Strong mathematics background
Knowledge of object oriented design and software lifecycles
Experience with version control software
Preferred Qualifications:
Active TS/SCI clearance (Employment will be contingent on obtaining and maintaining this clearance)
Mission Management Algorithms experience
Experience working with the Proliferated Mission Management (PMM) framework
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or other STEM with 5+ years software development experience (Principal level)
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or other STEM with 8+ years software development experience (Senior Principal level)
- Master's degree with 3+ years (Principal) or 6+ years (Senior Principal) software development experience
- PhD with 1+ years (Principal) or 4+ years (Senior Principal) software development experience
- Agile software development experience using Java, Python and/or C++ in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux environment
- Experience with Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools
- Dockerization and container management (Docker, Kubernetes, Helm)
- Systems development in a cloud environment (e.g., AWS)
- Strong mathematics background
- Knowledge of object oriented design and software lifecycles
- Experience with version control software
- Candidate must be eligible for a Top Secret/SCI security clearance
- Candidate must be able to obtain a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CI-Poly)
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Mission Management Algorithms experience
- Experience working with the Proliferated Mission Management (PMM) framework
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.







