Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
As a Sr. Principal Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
Northrop Grumman is looking to add to our talented team of Embedded Software Engineers. Our engineers are self-starters who are part of a team of software professionals developing world-class software to meet our customer’s high expectations. The Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, operates, and maintains software and firmware components and computing systems software to be applied to and integrated with engineering, scientific and manufacturing requirements. The individual shall apply the appropriate standards, processes, procedures, and tools throughout the system development life cycle to support the generation of engineering applications and products within the Targeting Business Unit. This includes interfacing with customers, suppliers, application users and other technical and support personnel. The ideal individual will have experience including the full software development life cycle, which includes requirements, design, coding, testing, and integration.
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This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.
This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Embedded Software Engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar engineering discipline with a minimum of 8+ years of engineering experience, or 6+ years with a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline or in lieu of degree, an additional 4 years of experience is required.
- Object Oriented Programming in C++
- Familiarity with Software architecture (design patterns, objected oriented design)
- Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Bash, Batch, etc)
- Experience Developing Embedded Software running Linux or VxWorks Operating Systems
- Familiarity with software development methodologies and frameworks such as Waterfall Methodology and/or Agile
- Familiarity with various version control systems (Git, Gitlabs, Github, Bitbucket, ClearCase. etc) and Agile software planning tools (Rally, Jira, etc)
- US Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with Object Oriented Programming in C++11
- Knowledge with scripting languages (Python, Bash, Batch, etc)
- Experience with Software development methodologies and frameworks such as Waterfall Methodology and/or Agile.
- Experience testing, debugging, and integrating Embedded Software on target hardware.
- Experience with complex systems of systems that utilize Parallel Processing, Multi-Threading, Distributed Processing, Multi-Core, System-on-Chip, and Secure Processing.
- Active Secret Clearance
- Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership and teamwork capability, interpersonal communication skills and activities.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar (8+ years experience) or Master's (6+ years) or equivalent experience
- Object Oriented Programming in C++
- Experience developing embedded software running Linux or VxWorks operating systems
- Familiarity with software architecture, design patterns, and object oriented design
- Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Bash, Batch, etc.)
- Experience with software development methodologies (Waterfall and/or Agile) and SDLC
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git, GitLab, GitHub, Bitbucket, ClearCase, etc.) and Agile planning tools (Rally, Jira)
- U.S. Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret security clearance (and additional customer-specified clearance) prior to start
- Experience across full software development life cycle: requirements, design, coding, testing, integration
- Experience with testing, debugging, and integrating embedded software on target hardware
- Experience with C++11
- Experience with complex systems: parallel processing, multi-threading, distributed processing, multi-core, SoC, secure processing
- Active Secret Clearance
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and strong interpersonal communication skills
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.






