We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer and Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer to join our cross functional Northern Virginia Engineering Discipline Team!
This position will be located at a Mission Systems Sector site in Chantilly, VA.
As a Principal / Senior Principal Cyber Software Test Engineering, you will have the following responsibilities:
Work as a member of an agile software development test team in a challenging, dynamic, fast-paced environment learning new tools and processes.
Test new, mission-critical software applications across diverse platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, Android), ensuring seamless integration with wireless services and custom hardware systems.
Validate software requirements through functional, usability, performance, security, compatibility, ad-hoc, internationalization, and regression tests.
Develop, maintain, and execute test plans and procedures for software systems.
Participate in cross-functional team meetings, decision-making, technical discussion, and defining new product functionality.
Review user stories and backlog items, analyze testability of requirements, and provide feedback.
Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to clarify user stories and determine appropriate testing scenarios to validate the iterative development of products against functional and technical specifications.
Timely identification of issues and effectively communicate impact to software developers, project managers, and appropriate parties to facilitate issue resolutions.
Demonstrate software capabilities at the completion of sprints to key stakeholders to ensure solutions meet customer requirements.
Conduct test case reviews and ensure all test activities are properly executed and documented according to our client's standards.
Configure hardware and software test equipment.
Troubleshoot and isolate system failures.
Clearly identify and document defects and collaborate with the development team to prioritize bugs until resolution.
Articulate open issues and risks to management in a timely manner and make recommendations.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer:
Clearance: Candidate must currently have an active Secret security clearance or higher to be considered. Secret security clearance eligibility must be in place by the start date and must stay in place through employment.
Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant experience, a Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience, a PhD with 1 year of relevant experience, or 9 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience with diverse software and/or hardware testing methods throughout the development lifecycle.
Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and self-manage multiple project tasks.
Proficiency with computer hardware and software systems, and the ability to validate proper implementation and functionality between various systems and interfaces.
Experience translating requirements and user stories into functional test plans.
Ability to use strong analytical skills to identify, characterize and isolate issues, and troubleshoot to present options for correcting those issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to write well-articulated test plans and facilitate product demonstrations.
Ability to articulate and document defects in a timely manner, and collaborate with the development team and management to prioritize bugs until resolution.
Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer:
Clearance: Candidate must currently have an active Secret security clearance or higher to be considered. Secret security clearance eligibility must be in place by the start date and must stay in place through employment.
Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant experience, a Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience, a PhD with 4 years of relevant experience, or 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience with diverse software and/or hardware testing methods throughout the development lifecycle.
Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and self-manage multiple project tasks.
Proficiency with computer hardware and software systems, and the ability to validate proper implementation and functionality between various systems and interfaces.
Experience translating requirements and user stories into functional test plans.
Ability to use strong analytical skills to identify, characterize and isolate issues, and troubleshoot to present options for correcting those issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to write well-articulated test plans and facilitate product demonstrations.
Ability to articulate and document defects in a timely manner, and collaborate with the development team and management to prioritize bugs until resolution.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
An active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph.
Proficiency with writing custom automation scripts using a programming language (e.g., Python, JavaScript, etc.).
Experience with testing mobile applications on Android devices.
Experience with agile management software (e.g., Microsoft Azure DevOps, Jira, etc.).
Experience with test automation to include design, development, and debugging of tests.
Experience with test automation tools (e.g., SmartBear TestComplete) and frameworks.
Experience with installing virtual machines.
Familiarity with Agile Scrum methodologies.
Familiarity with computer security measures.
Proficiency with UNIX command lines.
Self-starter with the ability to pick up and learn new products with little supervision as well as provide leadership on assigned projects.
Ability to provide testing best practices to other team members.
Experience with providing test estimation to management and project teams.
Skills Required
- Active Secret security clearance (must have at start and maintain during employment).
- Bachelor's degree with 5 years (Principal) or 8 years (Sr. Principal) relevant experience, Master's/PhD with reduced years, or equivalent experience in lieu of degree.
- Experience with diverse software and/or hardware testing methods throughout the development lifecycle.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and self-manage multiple project tasks.
- Proficiency with computer hardware and software systems and validating integrations between systems and interfaces.
- Experience translating requirements and user stories into functional test plans.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to identify, characterize, and isolate issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for writing test plans and facilitating demonstrations.
- Ability to document defects timely and collaborate with development and management to prioritize until resolution.
- Experience with test automation design, development, and debugging.
- Proficiency writing custom automation scripts using a programming language (e.g., Python, JavaScript).
- Experience testing mobile applications on Android devices.
- Experience with agile management software (Microsoft Azure DevOps, Jira).
- Experience with test automation tools and frameworks (e.g., SmartBear TestComplete).
- Experience installing and using virtual machines.
- Familiarity with Agile Scrum methodologies and computer security measures.
- Proficiency with UNIX command lines.
- Self-starter with leadership ability and ability to provide testing best practices and estimates to teams.
- Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph (preferred).
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.






