Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Software Engineer Level 3/4 to join our multi‑discipline Advanced Weapons engineering team. The role focuses on the development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground‑segment software that supports test events, launch rehearsals, and operational missions.
Location: Northridge, CA – no remote/telework option.
Security: Active U.S. DoD Secret clearance
What You’ll Get to Do
- Full‑stack development at the OS, platform, and mission‑unique software layer.
- Design and implement applications/services using service‑oriented or object‑oriented architectures and messaging protocols.
- Work with a variety of languages and toolsets, including C, C++, C# or Java or Python.
- Act as a self‑starter, making decisions that consider overall project budget and schedule.
- Support ground‑segment operations and associated configurations, troubleshooting both software errors and hardware issues that affect ground software.
- Participate in Acceptance Test events – planning, execution, and reporting.
- Develop and maintain test automation frameworks and scripts.
- Configure ground‑segment software for development, test, and operational environments.
- Resolve and remediate software defects; implement enhancements driven by customer change requests or mission needs.
- Provide ground‑software support during launch and launch‑rehearsal events.
- Install new ground‑segment software across operational, development, and test environments.
Principal Software Engineer (Level 3)
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM related field with 5 years of Computer or Software engineering experience, or 3 years of experience with a Master’s degree.
- Real world experience working in C/C++ and knowledge in C#, Java, Python
- Experience working with Windows, Unix/Linux OS
- Experience with full software lifecycle: specification, design, implementation, documentation, integration, debug and maintenance are required
- Experience in Atlassian Products like Jira, Gitlab, Confluence and have experience running teams in the Scrum Master capacity
- Proficiency in diagnosing electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic systems, including the use of oscilloscopes, multi-meters, and signal generators
- Active DoD Secret Clearance, with ability to be cleared to special access programs
Sr Principal Software Engineer (Level 4)
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM related field with 8 years of Computer or Software engineering experience, or 6 years of experience with a Master’s degree, or 4 years of experience with a PhD
- Expert level real world experience working in C/C++ and knowledge in C#, Java, Python
- Extensive experience working with Windows, Unix/Linux OS
- Experience with full software lifecycle: specification, design, implementation, documentation, integration, debug and maintenance are required
- Experience in Atlassian Products like Jira, Gitlab, Confluence and have experience running teams in a Product Owner or Team Lead capacity
- Proficiency in diagnosing electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic systems, including the use of oscilloscopes, multi-meters, and signal generators. Expertise in maintaining, adjusting, and calibrating precision measurement equipment to verify they meet established standards and working with different network protocols
- Active DoD Secret Clearance, with ability to be cleared to special access programs
Preferred Qualifications:
- Software Development and/or Software Engineering background with an Agile/DevSecOps mindset
- Ability to troubleshoot hardware/software and identify root cause issues
- Ability to set up test equipment to support software development
- Experience working with hardware programmers such as JTAG
- Understanding of TCP/IP protocols, serial communication, and MIL-STANDARD 1553 protocol
- Experience with Visual Studio
#LI-BC2
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (with specified years of experience) or advanced degree alternatives
- 5-8+ years computer or software engineering experience (varies by level)
- Real world experience with C and C++ (expert level for Level 4)
- Knowledge of C#, Java, or Python
- Experience working with Windows and Unix/Linux operating systems
- Experience with full software lifecycle: specification, design, implementation, documentation, integration, debug, and maintenance
- Experience with Atlassian products and source control (Jira, GitLab, Confluence) and team leadership/Scrum experience
- Proficiency diagnosing electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic systems using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and signal generators
- Active U.S. DoD Secret clearance (ability to be cleared to special access programs)
- Experience developing and maintaining test automation frameworks and scripts
- Ability to support ground-segment operations, acceptance testing, and launch/rehearsal events
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.
