Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) is looking for you to join our team as a Software Systems Integrator - Level 3 or 4 based out of Linthicum, MD.
What you'll get to do:
We are looking for a seasoned Software System Integrator to join a cross‑functional agile team. The role focuses on deploying and managing Kubernetes‑based services with Helm and Helmfile, creating and maintaining configuration‑management documentation, performing end‑to‑end system integration and validation, and automating regression testing. The ideal candidate is comfortable troubleshooting in a Linux environment, understands basic Docker and Java concepts, can debug services via command line or Rancher.
Job Duties
- System Integration & Verification – Perform system integration, verification, validation, and supportability/effectiveness analyses for end‑to‑end systems. Ensuring services communicate correctly with hardware components. Use hardware command protocols such as SNMP, GEMS, or others for monitoring and control.
- Helm & Helmfile Deployments – Design, develop, and maintain Helm charts and Helmfile releases for micro‑services across all environments.
- Kubernetes Operations – Debug services running in a Kubernetes cluster using Kubernetes, Rancher, and related CLI tools.
- Docker Foundations – Apply basic Docker concepts (image building, container lifecycle, registries) and work with docker‑based software installations.
- Source‑Code Management – Manage repositories with Git (branching, merging, pull‑requests, code reviews).
- Configuration‑Management Documentation – Create and keep up‑to‑date documentation for Helm values, environment specifications, and deployment procedures.
- Test Procedure Development, Planning & Execution – Ensure logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into comprehensive test procedures. Develop and execute test plans, procedures, and reports (functional testing, checkout, regression testing).
- Regression Test Automation – Build automated regression test suites using Cucumber or comparable BDD frameworks.
- Linux Environment – Operate primarily in Linux, employing shell scripting and command‑line tools for automation and debugging.
- Java Awareness – Leverage a basic understanding of Java/JVM concepts when interacting with Java‑based services.
- Troubleshooting & Debugging – Diagnose and resolve deployment failures and anomalous software behavior, especially when things don’t work out of the box.
- Agile Collaboration – Participate in sprint planning, daily stand‑ups, retrospectives, and backlog grooming within a cross‑functional Scrum/Kanban team.
- Customer Interaction & Presentation – Conduct demos, gather requirements, and provide technical guidance to internal and external customers.
- Tool Utilization – Employ the Atlassian Suite (Jira, Confluence) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Word) for tracking, documentation, and reporting.
This requisition may be filled at a higher job grade based on the qualifications listed below.
This requisition may be filled as either a level 3 or 4.
Basic Qualifications for a Level 3:
- Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of relevant experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with adjudicated Full-Scope polygraph is required at time of application
- Proficient with Git, Linux and shell scripting and a basic understanding of Java
- Understanding basic Docker concepts and Kubernetes services with the ability to debug using the command line and/or Rancher
- Experience developing test procedures, and executing functional/check-out testing
- Must have Sec+ Certification or equivalent prior to start
Basic Qualifications for a Level 4:
- Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of relevant experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with adjudicated Full-Scope polygraph is required at time of application
- Proficient with Git, Linux and shell scripting and a basic understanding of Java
- Understanding basic Docker concepts and Kubernetes services with the ability to debug using the command line and/or Rancher
- Experience developing test procedures, and executing functional/check-out testing
- Must have Sec+ Certification or equivalent prior to start
Preferred Qualifications
- Certifications such as CKA, CKAD, or CNCF Certified Helm.
- Hands-on experience deploying services with Helm / Helmfile
- Experience with CI/CD platforms (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) integrating Helm/Helmfile pipelines.
- Deep knowledge of Kubernetes best practices, security hardening, and observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Loki).
- Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Good Customer interaction and presentation skills.
- Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading small project teams.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 5 (Level 3) or 8 (Level 4) years of relevant experience, or advanced degree with reduced years, or equivalent experience
- Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with adjudicated Full-Scope polygraph at time of application
- Proficient with Git, Linux, and shell scripting
- Basic understanding of Java/JVM concepts
- Understanding of Docker concepts and Kubernetes services with ability to debug via command line or Rancher
- Experience developing test procedures and executing functional/check-out testing
- Must have Security+ (Sec+) certification or equivalent prior to start
- Experience deploying services with Helm and Helmfile
- Certifications such as CKA, CKAD, or CNCF Certified Helm
- Experience with CI/CD platforms (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) integrating Helm/Helmfile pipelines
- Knowledge of Kubernetes security hardening and observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Loki)
- Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Customer interaction, presentation skills, and mentoring/leadership experience
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.









