Software Developer – Mission Planning Team

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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.

Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Software Developer – Mission Planning Team – Level 3 or 4 located in McLean, VA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

   

In these roles, the focus will be on development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Full‑stack development at the OS, platform, and mission‑unique software layer.
• Develop client and server applications and services using service‑oriented or object‑oriented architectures, micro‑services, and message‑bus‑based data exchange that include first‑of‑a‑kind capabilities.
• Tech stack – Primary language Python (with C++ and occasional Java), PostgreSQL, Qpid message broker (AMQP) – exploring gRPC (both use Protocol Buffers).
• GUIs built in Qt (transitioning to web‑based GUIs using Elixir).
• Containerization with Docker for local development and Kubernetes for production orchestration.
• Operating systems: Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Windows workstations.
• Act as a self‑starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.
• Support ground‑software operations and associated configurations, including troubleshooting software errors and hardware affecting ground software.
• Support Acceptance Test events, run tests, and provide test automation.
• Configure ground‑segment software, resolve and remediate software defects, and deliver enhancements per customer change requests or mission needs.
• Provide ground‑software support during launch and launch‑rehearsal events.

• Other duties as assigned

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM field with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.   
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Demonstrated software development experience.
• Python application development, C++, Bash scripting experience.
• Design and implement mission‑planning tools (trajectory generation, timeline creation, resource allocation).
• Build graphical user interfaces and APIs that enable operators to create, edit, and validate mission plans.
• Integrate real‑time data feeds (ephemeris, weather, space‑environment models) via the Qpid message bus.
• Automate plan validation and collision‑avoidance checks using Python‑based rule engines.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.   
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Demonstrated software development experience.
• Python application development, C++, Bash scripting experience.
• Design and implement mission‑planning tools (trajectory generation, timeline creation, resource allocation).
• Build graphical user interfaces and APIs that enable operators to create, edit, and validate mission plans.
• Integrate real‑time data feeds (ephemeris, weather, space‑environment models) via the Qpid message bus.
• Automate plan validation and collision‑avoidance checks using Python‑based rule engines.

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Knowledge of orbital mechanics basics (or willingness to learn), experience with GUI frameworks (e.g., Flask/Django, Plotly/D3), familiarity with real‑time data streaming (Kafka, RabbitMQ), understanding of mission‑timeline concepts.
• Strong preference given to Top Secret with SCI.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards 

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.