Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This position will be sourced out of Software Engineering organization in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
In this role you will work in an embedded technology environment to develop, integrate, and test software working with real-time operating systems for use in flight and mission critical systems, with a particular focus on hardware/software integration and modeling and simulation software development. You will work with multi-disciplinary teams, such as with Systems Engineering, Real-time & Embedded Software, Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering, DevSecOps, and Systems Test. In an Agile software development environment, candidates will work on software supporting various systems in all phases of the software development lifecycle including requirements, design, development, integration, and test. The position requires working knowledge of the full development life-cycle processes that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Candidates must exhibit strong leadership characteristics in coordinating with multiple teams and managing tasks.
Roles and Responsibilities will include but not limited to :
Design, development, maintenance, and execution of automated software tests for qualification of embedded software products
Experienced in working in a lab environment on an Agile project
Knowledge of, and experience working in, all phases for the Software Development Lifecycle
Analyze requirements allocated to computer software configuration items (CSCI).
Develop detailed, clear, and concise technical documentation.
Candidate will work with software developers and other engineers, as needed, to help diagnose and identify the root cause of problems found during software installation, integration, acceptance test, and operational events.
Submit detailed problem reports for errors found.
Candidates must be comfortable in development, lab, and operational environments, as well as be able to collaborate closely with system engineers, hardware designers, integration/test engineers, and program leadership.
**This role may be filled at either the Principal Software Engineer or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer level based on the qualifications below.**
Basic Qualifications:
Principal: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience OR a PhD degree in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience
Sr. Principal: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience OR a PhD degree in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience
Experience with safety-critical embedded real time software.
Experience with developing software and scripts in C/C++, and Python.
Experience with software development methodologies and frameworks such as waterfall and / or Agile for all phases of the software development life cycle.
Experience with software change control, change management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian tool suite, GitHub, GitLab, AND/OR Jenkins.
Experience with software architecture, design, implementation, integration, debugging, and testing safety-critical embedded real time software written in C/C++ running on real-time operating systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux.
Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top -Secret clearance, and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company. (Note: SAP/PAR will be upgraded once selected candidate is in role. Therefore, candidates must also be able to obtain and maintain upgraded SAP/PAR.)
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with UAV route planning, routing algorithms or other geometrically based algorithms.
Familiarity with static code analysis tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, and Fortify.
Familiarity with using MATLAB
Previous experience with existing avionic system
Recent experience and proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.
Recent experience and proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems.
Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership, excellent teamwork, and excellent oral and written communication.
Recent experience and proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems.
Experience with SOAP and Java services.
Recent experience and proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, AND/OR Bash.
Current Special Program Access
Skills Required
- Principal: Bachelor's in STEM +5 years OR Master's +3 years OR PhD +1 year (related engineering experience)
- Sr. Principal: Bachelor's in STEM +8 years OR Master's +6 years OR PhD +4 years (related engineering experience)
- Experience with safety-critical embedded real time software
- Proficiency developing software and scripts in C/C++ and Python
- Experience with software development methodologies (waterfall and/or Agile) across SDLC
- Experience with software change control, change management, and CI/CD tools (Atlassian tool suite, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins)
- Experience with software architecture, design, implementation, integration, debugging, and testing safety-critical embedded real time software in C/C++ on RTOS (VxWorks, Integrity, or Real Time Embedded Linux)
- Develop, maintain, and execute automated software tests for embedded software qualification
- Ability to obtain, transfer, and maintain final adjudicated Top Secret government clearance (SAP/PAR upgrade required when selected)
- Comfortable working in development, lab, and operational environments and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
- Experience with UAV route planning or geometrically based routing algorithms
- Familiarity with static code analysis tools (Coverity, SonarQube, Fortify)
- Familiarity with MATLAB; proficiency with scripting languages such as MATLAB, JavaScript, and/or Bash
- Previous experience with existing avionic systems
- Proficiency with multi-threaded programming in C/C++ for real time systems
- Experience with SOAP and Java services
- Current Special Program Access
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.





