Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Sr. Principal Software Engineer to support the design, development, enhancement, and sustainment of web applications for the Manufacturing and Operations organization. This role can be based in either Redondo Beach, CA / Promontory, UT OR Linthicum, MD.
This role will lead development activities across the application lifecycle, partnering with functional stakeholders, technical teams, and program leadership to deliver secure, scalable, and maintainable software solutions that support manufacturing and operational objectives. The ideal candidate brings strong hands-on experience in ASP.NET Core, C#, SQL Server, and Agile delivery practices, along with the ability to guide technical direction, support modernization efforts, and mentor other developers in a mission-focused environment.
What the role offers:
- Opportunity to lead development of applications that directly support Space Sector manufacturing and operations.
- Exposure to modernization and sustainment efforts across critical internal platforms.
- Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence technical direction and engineering practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Sustain and enhance legacy .NET Framework applications, including assessing and modernizing codebases (e.g. migrating to .NET Core) as business needs evolve.
- Work with other software engineers on the architecture, design, development, testing, deployment, and sustainment of web-based business applications.
- Develop and maintain applications using ASP.NET Core and C#.
- Design, optimize, and support back-end data solutions using SQL Server.
- Collaborate with business partners, product owners, analysts, and other engineers to define technical solutions aligned to operational needs.
- Support full software lifecycle activities, including requirements analysis, code reviews, troubleshooting, defect resolution, and performance improvement.
- Drive adherence to software engineering best practices, coding standards, and secure development approaches.
- Participate in and help lead Agile ceremonies, sprint planning, backlog refinement, and technical estimation.
- Mentor and support junior and mid-level developers.
- Contribute to system modernization, integration, and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and operations applications.
- Work closely with cybersecurity, infrastructure, and program teams to ensure deployed solutions meet mission and security requirements.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline plus with 8 years of engineering/technical experience; OR a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline plus 6 years of engineering/technical experience.
- Experience developing and supporting web applications using C# and ASP.NET Core.
- Experience with SQL Server database development, queries, stored procedures, and performance tuning.
- Experience working in an Agile software development environment.
- Experience leading technical efforts, software tasks, or small development teams.
- Ability to translate business or operational needs into software solutions.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting manufacturing, operations, or enterprise business applications.
- Experience with RESTful APIs, system integrations, and service-oriented application design.
- Experience with front-end web technologies and modern UI frameworks.
- Experience with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, or application modernization.
- Experience working in a regulated, secure, or mission-critical environment.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams.
- Experience with Windows Server and IIS administration.
- Experience working with Python frameworks including Django and FastAPI.
- Experience working with containers (e.g. OpenShift).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline plus 8 years of engineering or technical experience, or a master's degree in a STEM discipline plus 6 years of engineering or technical experience
- Experience developing and supporting web applications using C# and ASP.NET Core
- Experience with SQL Server database development, queries, stored procedures, and performance tuning
- Experience working in an Agile software development environment
- Experience leading technical efforts, software tasks, or small development teams
- Ability to translate business or operational needs into software solutions
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance
- Experience supporting manufacturing, operations, or enterprise business applications
- Experience with RESTful APIs, system integrations, and service-oriented application design
- Experience with front-end web technologies and modern UI frameworks
- Experience with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, or application modernization
- Experience working in a regulated, secure, or mission-critical environment
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams
- Experience with Windows Server and IIS administration
- Experience working with Python frameworks including Django and FastAPI
- Experience working with containers such as OpenShift
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.







