At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage, and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Engineer Software based out of Orlando, FL or Bellevue, NE.
As a Sr. Principal Engineer Software at Northrop Grumman, you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Cross-Domain Handling of Releasable Data (CHORD) portfolio. CHORD is a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) two-domain Cross Domain Solution (CDS). The CHORD portfolio comprises multiple contract awards and with various customers. The successful candidate will be exceptionally meticulous, collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & personal responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of seeking the best performance from everyone.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- The Sr Principal Engineer Software will develop, maintain, and enhance complex and secure software systems based upon documented requirements.
- This person will be responsible for working individually or as part of a team to review and test software components for adherence to the design requirements and documents test results.
- The team is seeking a talented engineer who resolves software problem reports, utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development environment.
- The successful candidate shall have experience with creating specific input to the software components of system design to include hardware/software tradeoffs, software reuse, use of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)/ Government Off-the Shelf (GOTS) in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelors of Science in Engineering, Computer Science or other STEM discipline, and 8 years of related technical experience OR Master’s degree in a STEM field and 6 years of related technical experience OR PHD in a STEM field and 4 years of related technical experience
- Active DoD Secret Clearance
- Demonstrated experience developing software using Java or C++
- Demonstrated experience with debugging existing software and correcting defects
- Demonstrated experience with the SDLC and agile methodologies
- At least 5 years of development experience in a Linux environment, preferably RHEL
- Understanding of, and experience supporting an integrated master schedule
- Understanding of waterfall and agile software development life cycle
- Experience leading a small software team through the development process
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated expertise in developing, debugging, and maintaining Linux kernel‑mode device drivers, including the ability to design and implement new low‑level drivers or modify existing ones for custom hardware platforms, with a strong grasp of kernel subsystems, interrupt handling, DMA, and device tree configuration
- Experience using Bash or similar scripting languages to automate tasks
- Experience configuring and using SonarQube, Fortify, or other code analyzers
- Experience with automated testing frameworks such as Eggplant and Microsoft Testing Framework
- Experience with Continuous Integration Technologies such as Jenkins and Bamboo
- Experience using Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
- Experience with Software Configuration Management tools such as Git
- Experience creating XML Schema Definitions (XSD) based on complex interface requirements
- Development experience with Sockets, MQueues, Threading/Multithreading, or Named Pipes
- Development experience with HTTP, IP, or UDP protocols
- Development experience with LXC or Containers
- Demonstrated experience developing Linux software applications
- Demonstrated experience working with XML Schemas and XML processing tools.
- Knowledge of networking protocols and secure communication techniques.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or STEM with 8 years related experience OR Master's with 6 years OR PhD with 4 years
- Active DoD Secret Clearance (required for start)
- Demonstrated experience developing software using Java or C++
- Experience debugging existing software and correcting defects
- Experience with SDLC and agile methodologies (understanding of waterfall and agile)
- At least 5 years development experience in a Linux environment (preferably RHEL)
- Understanding of and experience supporting an integrated master schedule
- Experience leading a small software team through the development process
- Expertise in developing/debugging Linux kernel-mode device drivers, kernel subsystems, interrupt handling, DMA, and device tree configuration
- Experience using Bash or similar scripting languages to automate tasks
- Experience configuring and using SonarQube, Fortify, or other code analyzers
- Experience with automated testing frameworks such as Eggplant and Microsoft Testing Framework
- Experience with Continuous Integration technologies such as Jenkins and Bamboo
- Experience using Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
- Experience with Software Configuration Management tools such as Git
- Experience creating XML Schema Definitions (XSD) based on complex interface requirements
- Development experience with Sockets, MQueues, Threading/Multithreading, or Named Pipes
- Development experience with HTTP, IP, or UDP protocols
- Development experience with LXC or Containers
- Demonstrated experience developing Linux software applications and working with XML processing tools
- Knowledge of networking protocols and secure communication techniques
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.





