Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our organization is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter.
Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Sr. Principal Embedded Engineer Software based out of San Diego, CA.
What You'll Get to Do:
In this role you will design, develop, integrate and test software for our end-user customers and businesses, primarily focused on Link-16 and Tactical Datalink software code bases. Specifically, you will be responsible for the design, architecture, development, and administration of embedded and real time systems. You will work with multi-disciplinary teams, such as with Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, Hardware, and Integration & Test, in an Agile software development environment. You will analyze system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques and controls.
This position is contingent upon the ability to obtain a Clearance and program award
This requisition may be filled as a Principal or Sr. Principal
Principal Engineer Embedded Software Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or another STEM discipline with 5 years of related experience, or Master's degree with 3 years or a PhD with 1 year of experience
- Proficient in C/C++
- Proficient in Object Oriented programming
- Proficient in all areas of the formal software lifecycle process from requirements to testing
- Experience integrating low-level firmware and software in complex real-time multi-threaded embedded applications
- Experience with developing and debugging embedded real-time systems.
- Familiarity with Static Analysis and Unit Testing
- Experience using Jira/Bitbucket/Git and the Agile software development process
- Experience in testing and troubleshooting Link16 waveform in an embedded software environment
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment such as Tactical Datalink radios/terminals
- Familiarity with Link 16/TACAN Waveform Standard Documents
- Familiarity with Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)
- Familiarity with Software Communications Architecture (SCA)
- Experience with Software Defined Radios
- Must be able to obtain a U.S Government Secret level security clearance
- Ability to work full-time onsite at our Rancho Carmel location.
Sr. Principal Engineer Embedded Software Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or another STEM discipline with 8 years of related experience, or Master's degree with 6 years or a PhD with 4 years of experience.
- Proficient in C/C++
- Proficient in Object Oriented programming
- Proficient in all areas of the formal software lifecycle process from requirements to testing
- Experience integrating low-level firmware and software in complex real-time multi-threaded embedded applications
- Experience with developing and debugging embedded real-time systems.
- Familiarity with Static Analysis and Unit Testing
- Experience using Jira/Bitbucket/Git and the Agile software development process
- Experience in testing and troubleshooting Link16 waveform in an embedded software environment
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment such as Tactical Datalink radios/terminals
- Familiarity with Link 16/TACAN Waveform Standard Documents
- Familiarity with Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)
- Familiarity with Software Communications Architecture (SCA)
- Experience with Software Defined Radios
- Must be able to obtain a U.S Government Secret level security clearance
- Ability to work full-time onsite at our Rancho Carmel location.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with the Avionics Operating System
- Experience with Xilinx platforms (Zynq, Ultrascale+, and VERSAL)
- Experience with Yocto/Petalinux
- Experience with Communication Protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, Ethernet)
- Experience with TCP/IP and common network configurations
- Experience implementing cryptographic mechanisms using dedicated software libraries
- Experience with Rust
- Familiarity with Xilinx tools (Vitis, Vivado)
- Familiarity with HAIPE, OTNK, and/or IKE
- Familiarity with Linux kernel driver development/modifications
- Familiarity with assembly language
- Familiarity with bare metal embedded device drivers
- Familiarity with PowerPC architectures and peripherals
- Familiarity with IBM tools (Rhapsody, DOORS, Clearcase)
- Familiarity with Green Hills AdaMulti
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-6016
- Current active Secret or Top Secret Clearance
- Current active SAP clearance
- Currently engaged in Networked Information Solutions program portfolio(s)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or another STEM discipline with 5 years of related experience, or Master's with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or another STEM discipline with 8 years of related experience, or Master's with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years (Sr. Principal alternative)
- Proficient in C/C++
- Proficient in Object Oriented programming
- Proficient in formal software lifecycle process from requirements to testing
- Experience integrating low-level firmware and software in complex real-time multi-threaded embedded applications
- Experience developing and debugging embedded real-time systems
- Familiarity with Static Analysis and Unit Testing
- Experience using Jira, Bitbucket, Git and the Agile software development process
- Experience in testing and troubleshooting Link16 waveform in an embedded software environment
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment such as Tactical Datalink radios/terminals
- Familiarity with Link 16/TACAN Waveform Standard Documents
- Familiarity with Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)
- Familiarity with Software Communications Architecture (SCA)
- Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR)
- Must be able to obtain a U.S. Government Secret level security clearance
- Ability to work full-time onsite at Rancho Carmel location
- Experience with Avionics Operating System
- Experience with Xilinx platforms (Zynq, Ultrascale+, VERSAL)
- Experience with Yocto/Petalinux
- Experience with communication protocols I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, Ethernet
- Experience with TCP/IP and common network configurations
- Experience implementing cryptographic mechanisms using dedicated software libraries
- Experience with Rust
- Familiarity with Xilinx tools (Vitis, Vivado)
- Familiarity with HAIPE, OTNK, and/or IKE
- Familiarity with Linux kernel driver development/modifications
- Familiarity with assembly language
- Familiarity with bare metal embedded device drivers
- Familiarity with PowerPC architectures and peripherals
- Familiarity with IBM tools (Rhapsody, DOORS, Clearcase)
- Familiarity with Green Hills AdaMulti
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-6016
- Current active Secret or Top Secret Clearance
- Current active SAP clearance
- Currently engaged in Networked Information Solutions program portfolio(s)
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.






