Northrop Grumman is seeking a Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to join our team based in the Aurora, Colorado area at Buckley AFB.
What you'll get to do:
Designs, develops, documents, tests and debugs applications software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions. Conducts multidisciplinary research and collaborates with equipment designers and/or hardware engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software. Determines computer user needs; analyzes system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques and controls; prepares operating instructions; designs and develops compilers and assemblers, utility programs, and operating systems. Ensures software standards are met.
This requisition may be filled at a higher job grade based on the qualifications listed below.
This requisition may be filled as either Principal or Sr. Principal Software Engineer.
Basic Qualifications for a Software Engineer Level 2:
- Must have active Top Secret/SCI clearance at time of application
- Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience; 0 years of relevant experience with a Master's. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Experience with software architecture, design, and development.
- Experience with Agile leadership (product owner and scrum master), planning, and scheduling.
- Experience with Technical customer engagement and interaction.
- Experience using Jira and Confluence.
- Experience with Perl and Python desirable.
Basic Qualifications for a Software Engineer – Level 3:
- Must have active Top Secret/SCI clearance at time of application
- Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience; 3 years of relevant experience with a Master's; 0 years of relevant experience with a PhD. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Experience with software architecture, design, and development.
- Experience with Agile leadership (product owner and scrum master), planning, and scheduling.
- Experience with Technical customer engagement and interaction.
- Experience using Jira and Confluence.
- Experience with Perl and Python desirable.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Adjudicated Counterintelligence Polygraph (CI-Poly)
- Ability to juggle many activities simultaneously
Skills Required
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance at time of application
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with government clearance)
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience); Level 2: Bachelor's + 2 years or Master's with 0 years; Level 3: Bachelor's + 5 years or Master's + 3 years
- Experience with software architecture, design, and development
- Experience with Agile leadership (product owner and scrum master), planning, and scheduling
- Experience with technical customer engagement and interaction
- Experience using Jira and Confluence
- Experience with Perl and Python
- Adjudicated Counterintelligence Polygraph (CI-Poly)
- Ability to juggle many activities simultaneously
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.





