Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal Software Engineer - Test to join our team on site in San Diego, California or Grand Forks, North Dakota with a partial hybrid schedule. Candidates will work on software supporting various systems in all phases of the software development lifecycle including design, development and test .
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
•Analyze requirements allocated to computer software configuration items (CSCI).
•Design, development, maintenance and execution of automated software tests for qualification of embedded software products
•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.
The selected candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels and adapt to change. The candidate must be able to develop and execute software installation, integration, and acceptance test procedures in an automated test environment. The candidate must be able to develop detailed, clear, and concise technical documentation. Candidate should be skilled in software integration planning and execution of separate software components into a single system. Candidate must be comfortable in both development, lab, and operational environments, as well as be able to collaborate closely with system engineers, hardware designers, integration/test engineers, and program leadership.
Basic Qualifications:
•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 in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.
•Demonstrated Professional Experience with Agile Framework within the last 3 years.
•Experience with the full SW Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
•Demonstrated Professional Experience Implementing software and scripts in one or more Object Oriented Programming languages: C/C++, C#, OR Java, AND Python within the last 3 years.
•Demonstrated Professional Experience with Software Change Control, Change Management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian tool suite, GitHub, GitLab, AND/OR Jenkins within the last 3 years.
•Demonstrated Professional Experience with Testing Methodologies, Frameworks, and Automated Testing using: GoogleTest, TestComplete, Cucumber, Atlas, Eggplant Automation, Unit Test Factory, ATF (Automated Test Framework), Robot or similar within the last 3 years.
•Demonstrated Professional Experience with developing, integrating, and/or Testing on multi-threaded SW used for one of the following real-time applications: flight critical SW, Safety critical SW, medical SW, or mission critical SW
•Demonstrated Professional Experience Architecting, Designing, Modeling (Rhapsody or Cameo), Implementing, Maintaining, Integrating, Debugging, Verifying and Qualifying Safety-Critical Embedded Real Time Software OR Command & Control Software written in OO C++ running on Real-Time Operating Systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux within the last 3 years.
•Ability to collaborate with systems engineers, hardware designers, software developers, and integration/test engineers to develop and maintain complex SW systems.
•Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering.
•Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership, teamwork capabilities, strong time management, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
•Recent Demonstrated Professional Experience with DOORs AND/OR Software Requirement Specification Testing using Simulators, automated scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, QSA/QT AND/OR Bash.
#blue
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $171,000.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience, or a master's degree and 3 years of experience, or a PhD and 1 year of experience
- Professional experience with Agile frameworks within the last 3 years
- Experience with the full software development life cycle
- Professional experience implementing software and scripts in C, C++, C#, or Java and Python within the last 3 years
- Professional experience with software change control, change management, and CI/CD tools such as Atlassian, GitHub, GitLab, or Jenkins within the last 3 years
- Professional experience with testing methodologies, frameworks, and automated testing tools such as GoogleTest, TestComplete, Cucumber, Atlas, Eggplant Automation, Unit Test Factory, ATF, or Robot within the last 3 years
- Professional experience developing, integrating, or testing multithreaded software for flight-critical, safety-critical, medical, or mission-critical real-time applications
- Professional experience architecting, designing, modeling, implementing, maintaining, integrating, debugging, verifying, and qualifying safety-critical embedded real-time software or command-and-control software written in object-oriented C++ on VxWorks, Integrity, or Real-Time Embedded Linux within the last 3 years
- Ability to collaborate with systems engineers, hardware designers, software developers, and integration/test engineers
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Recent experience with DOORS or software requirements specification testing using simulators, Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, QSA/QT, or Bash
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, time management, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.







