Principal Software Engineer / Sr. Principal Software Engineer- (AHT)

Posted 9 Days Ago
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Redondo Beach, CA, USA
In-Office
114K-213K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Administer and maintain Linux systems, workstations, servers, and lab hardware for Army air defense development environments. Responsibilities include system configuration, patching, hardening, troubleshooting, package management, custom RPM creation, kernel and driver support, performance tuning, incident response, hardware repair coordination, automation, documentation, and collaboration with software engineering teams. The role supports build environments and critical lab infrastructure and requires the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: NoDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems seeks a Software Engineer to join our diverse team, working on the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) portfolio of programs in Redondo Beach, CA. The selected candidate will perform system administration duties for an Army Air Defense System that includes defense against manned aircraft; rockets, artillery, and mortars; unmanned aerial systems (UAS); and cruise missile defense.

This requisition may be filled at the Principal Software Engineer or Senior Principal Software Engineer level:

  • Principal Software Engineer - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline (and 5 years of relevant experience in Object Oriented Languages (OOL); or 3 Years with Masters; 0 Years with PhD) or 9 years of experience in lieu of degree may be considered
  • Senior Principal Software Engineer - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline (and 8 years of relevant experience in Object Oriented Languages (OOL); or 6 Years with Masters; 3 Years with PhD) or 12 years of experience in lieu of degree may be considered

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Administer, monitor, and maintain Linux-based systems in lab and development environments, including configuration, patching, and troubleshooting
  • Load, customize, and harden Linux development workstations and servers to meet program security and performance requirements
  • Troubleshoot and repair hardware problems, including diagnosing faulty components and coordinating repair or replacement
  • Respond rapidly to high priority incidents, diagnose root causes across OS, network, and hardware layers, and restore service for critical lab environments
  • Collaborate closely with software developers and other engineering teams to support build environments, development workflows, and OS-related issues
  • Document system configurations, procedures, and changes, and contribute to maintaining accurate lab infrastructure inventories

Basic Qualifications:

  • Strong understanding of Linux system administration (Red Hat or similar enterprise distributions) in lab, development, or production environments
  • Experience installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Linux operating systems, software, servers, and associated lab hardware, including managing user accounts, groups, and file system permissions
  • Experience troubleshooting operating systems, networks, and hardware issues across servers and workstations
  • Experience performing OS level package management, building and maintaining custom RPMs, handling kernel/driver interactions, and conducting performance tuning in Linux environments
  • Familiarity with scripting (e.g., shell scripting) for system configuration, automation, and maintenance tasks
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with engineers and technical leads on schedule driven programs
  • Hold or able to obtain DoD Secret clearance

Following are good to have, but are not required:

  • Familiarity with virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware) and applying security patches and updates to virtualized environments
  • Experience supporting backup and restore solutions
  • Experience with vulnerability scanning and security compliance, applying OS/security patches, managing patch repositories, and maintaining antivirus tools
  • Experience supporting build and deployment environments, including maintaining build scripts and installation media for development environments
  • Current DoD Secret clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

The 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 Computer Science or a related discipline with 5 years of relevant object-oriented language experience for the Principal level
  • Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant object-oriented language experience for the Principal level
  • PhD with 0 years of relevant object-oriented language experience for the Principal level
  • 9 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree for the Principal level
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline with 8 years of relevant object-oriented language experience for the Senior Principal level
  • Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant object-oriented language experience for the Senior Principal level
  • PhD with 3 years of relevant object-oriented language experience for the Senior Principal level
  • 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree for the Senior Principal level
  • Strong Linux system administration experience, including Red Hat or similar enterprise distributions
  • Experience installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Linux operating systems, software, servers, lab hardware, user accounts, groups, and file permissions
  • Experience troubleshooting operating systems, networks, and hardware across servers and workstations
  • Experience with OS-level package management, custom RPMs, kernel and driver interactions, and Linux performance tuning
  • Familiarity with shell scripting for system configuration, automation, and maintenance
  • Ability to collaborate with engineers and technical leads on schedule-driven programs
  • Hold or be able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance
  • Familiarity with VMware or other virtualization platforms
  • Experience supporting backup and restore solutions
  • Experience with vulnerability scanning, security compliance, patch repositories, and antivirus tools
  • Experience supporting build and deployment environments, build scripts, and installation media
  • Current DoD Secret clearance

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.

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
  • Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.

Northrop Grumman Insights

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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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