Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Software Engineer or Principal Software Engineer to join our team on site in San Diego, CA or El Segundo, CA. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
• Develop and maintain new and existing software applications.
• Leverage modern technologies and practices to rapidly develop, integrate, test, and deploy new software capabilities.
• Collaborate with a cross functional team to diagnose and address software and system problems found throughout the system lifecycle.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.
Basic Qualifications:
• Level 2: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and entry level related engineering experience
• Level 3: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience.
• Experience with the full software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Experience with some of the following programming and scripting languages: C, C++, Java, and Python.
• Experience with Agile software development, object-oriented programming, embedded system programming, software integration and testing.
• Experience with some of the following: Jira, GitLab, Docker, Fortify, Coverity, Black Duck, or similar DevOps tools
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with developing multi-threaded software used for one of the following real-time applications: flight critical, safety, medical, or mission critical software.
• Ability to identify moderate execution defects by only reading code.
• Understanding of how their embedded software will fit into a larger software system.
• Ability to document, capture, and present software architectural components in modeling or diagramming tools.
• Experience with software running on Real-Time Operating systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, and/or Real Time Embedded Linux.
• Experience with Docker Containers and RHEL 8.10 or later.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management.
• Active in-Scope, DoD Top Secret clearance
• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) access.
Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00The 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience for Level 2
- Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and entry-level related engineering experience for Level 2
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience for Level 3
- Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience for Level 3
- PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience for Level 3
- Experience with the full software development life cycle
- Experience with C, C++, Java, or Python
- Experience with Agile software development, object-oriented programming, embedded system programming, software integration, and testing
- Experience with Jira, GitLab, Docker, Fortify, Coverity, Black Duck, or similar DevOps tools
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance with a recent background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program access through a Program Access Request before employment
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent Special Access Program access authorizations
- Experience developing multithreaded software for flight-critical, safety-critical, medical, or mission-critical real-time applications
- Ability to identify moderate execution defects by reading code
- Understanding of embedded software integration within larger software systems
- Ability to document and present software architecture using modeling or diagramming tools
- Experience with VxWorks, Integrity, or Real-Time Embedded Linux
- Experience with Docker containers and RHEL 8.10 or later
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Active in-scope Department of Defense Top Secret clearance
- Current applicable Special Access Program access
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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.







