Principal Software Engineer/Sr Principal Software Engineer - Payloads and Tasking Applications
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 or Sr Principal Software Engineer - Payloads and Tasking Applications to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Software organization. This position will be filled out of our Software Engineering organization and will support the team on site in San Diego, CA.
The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Collaborate and work in a team environment with Systems Engineering, Cloud & Application, Test Automation, DevSecOps and Systems Test, in an Agile software development environment.
- Participate in the software development cycle including prototype and graphic user interface design, implementation and delivery of build/test/release.
- Work with object-oriented programming, design patterns, JMS, Web Services, XML and related technologies (i.e., XPath, XSLT, XSD)
- Develop enterprise solutions for Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) in a SOA environment
- Work in a process-oriented software development environment across the software lifecycle
- Collaborate with team members on a regular basis.
Basic Qualifications:
- Level 3: 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 years of related engineering experience.
- Level 4: 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 in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
- Experience using agile development, including participating as Product Owner, SCRUM Master, and/or team member in an Agile development environment.
- Experience with the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
- Experience with Agile software development, object-oriented architecture and programming, software integration and testing.
- Experience and proficiency utilizing Java, Experience with Java microservices, Graphical User Interface (GUI) applications.
- Experience with at least two of the following programming or scripting languages: Python, Go, C++, C#, PowerShell, VBScript, Bash, or KornShell.
- Experience with Cloud technologies and service providers.
- Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance (must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Program Access (SAP/PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs. (Of note: SAP/PAR will be upgraded once selected candidate is in role. Therefore, candidate must also be able to obtain and maintain upgraded SAP/PAR.)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current applicable SAP access
- An advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other STEM discipline.
- Advanced technical management degree.
- Advanced experience with at least one of the following databases: Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch.
- Advanced experience with at least one of the following container management tools: Kubernetes, Amazon ECS, Docker Swarm, Nomad, Redhat OpenShift
- Experience with application and container security.
- Experience with Machine Learning Model development.
- Experience with threading, intermediate object-oriented programming, design patterns, Data Distribution Service (DDS) messaging, web technologies, Unified Modeling Language (UML), database essentials and SQL/NoSQL.
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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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 for Level 3; or master's degree and 3 years; or PhD and 1 year.
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience for Level 4; or master's degree and 6 years; or PhD and 4 years.
- Experience participating in Agile software development as a Product Owner, Scrum Master, or team member.
- Experience with the full Software Development Life Cycle.
- Experience with Agile development, object-oriented architecture and programming, software integration, and testing.
- Proficiency with Java, including Java microservices and graphical user interface applications.
- Experience with at least two of Python, Go, C++, C#, PowerShell, VBScript, Bash, or KornShell.
- Experience with cloud technologies and service providers.
- Ability to transfer and maintain a final adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance that is in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial and upgraded Special Program Access (SAP/PAR) before employment and within the company-defined timeframe.
- Current applicable SAP access.
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or another STEM discipline.
- Advanced technical management degree.
- Advanced experience with at least one listed database, including Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, or Elasticsearch.
- Advanced experience with at least one listed container management tool, including Kubernetes, Amazon ECS, Docker Swarm, Nomad, or Red Hat OpenShift.
- Experience with application and container security.
- Experience developing machine learning models.
- Experience with threading, object-oriented programming, design patterns, DDS messaging, web technologies, UML, and SQL or NoSQL databases.
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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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.
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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.
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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
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.








