Do you want to work at an international company with endless opportunities for growth and advancement? Are you eager to join a trust-based, globally-connected team, where your contributions will define what’s possible?
We are looking for team members who want to solve interesting, complex problems, which protect our nation. Your talents and passion are most important to us. If you don’t know a language, program, or platform, we will teach you! Become a part of our enthusiastic team where we have fun working together and take pride in our contributions to the nation’s safety.
We are recruiting for mid-level and senior engineers with a background in Software Development Engineering.
In these role, the focus will be on development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software. These positions are located onsite on our Dulles, VA campus, and requires a Top Secret clearance at the time of application.
What you’ll get to do:
Full stack development at the OS, platform, and mission unique software layer
Developing client and server applications and services using service or object-oriented architectures, message bus-based data exchange that include first-of-a-kind capabilities
Applications will span languages and toolsets including Python, C++, Postgres, Ansible, cloud infrastructure provisioning, PKI, and static code analysis execution and finding remediation
Developer will be expected to be a self-starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind
Support Operations ground software and associated configurations. This will involve troubleshooting both software errors and hardware affecting the operation of ground software
Support Acceptance Test events, including running tests
Test Automation
Configuration of ground segment software
Resolution and remediation of software defects
Software Enhancements as directed by customer change requests or mission needs
Ground software support during launch and launch rehearsal events
Support the installation of new ground segment software in operational, development and test environments
What does success look like?
As a successful employee, you will:
Be an active and integral member of your team
Channel your enthusiasm to innovate
Be part of a supportive team that develops and deploys technologies that matter to our national security
Work with agility, flexibility, and collaboration to explore creative ideas
*This position can be filled at either the Software Engineer 3 or 4 level .
Basic Qualifications:
Software Engineer Level 3
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 5 years of experience; OR a master’s degree and 3 years: OR a PhD (outside of internships, research projects, etc.) Experience can be considered in lieu of degree (Additional 4 years)
Demonstrated software development experience
Python application development, C++, Bash Scripting experience
U.S. Citizenship
A current or active Top-Secret clearance is required at the time of application
Software Engineer Level 4
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 8 years of experience; OR a master’s degree and 6 years: OR a PhD and 3 years. Experience can be considered in lieu of degree (Additional 4 years)
Demonstrated software development experience
Python application development, C++, Bash Scripting experience
U.S. Citizenship
A current or active Top-Secret clearance is required at the time of application
Preferred Qualification:
Strong preference given to Top Secret with SCI
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM (Computer Science or Engineering) and 5 years experience; OR master's +3 years; OR PhD (level 3) or equivalent experience
- Bachelor's degree in STEM (Computer Science or Engineering) and 8 years experience; OR master's +6 years; OR PhD +3 years (level 4) or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated software development experience
- Python application development experience
- C++ development experience
- Bash scripting experience
- U.S. Citizenship
- Current/active Top Secret clearance at time of application
- Experience with satellite ground software, integration, deployment, and sustainment
- Experience with cloud infrastructure provisioning and configuration management (Ansible)
- Experience with Postgres or similar relational databases
- Experience with test automation and static code analysis processes
- Strong preference for Top Secret with SCI
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.







