Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Staff Software Lead for the SLCM-N Tactical Supplier Management Team software team. This position will be located in Huntsville, AL.
This position is contingent upon funding.
What You’ll Do
Hands On Software Development
• Guide software development teams in applying software engineering best practices (coding standards, configuration management, test automation, continuous integration) to deliver software artifacts that meet nuclear surety, cyber, and certification requirements.
• Lead the design and integration of complex software-intensive, safety-critical command and launch systems in support of the SLCM-N Tactical Supplier Management Team.
• for tactical command and launch systems.
• Develop modern C/C++ for embedded and mission applications on general purpose and/or real time operating systems.
• Implement hardware interfaces, communication protocols, and device drivers for sensors, GPS receivers/simulators, and other mission hardware.
• Use MATLAB/Simulink to prototype, analyze, and validate algorithms (e.g., GNC, signal processing) and support transition to production C/C++.
• Build and maintain automated unit, component, and integration tests and perform hands on debugging of software/hardware issues.
HWIL Integration & Test
• Lead HWIL lab integration: configuration stand up, supplier component integration, and scripted test execution.
• Develop HWIL test software and scripts (e.g., Python) for scenario automation, data collection, and regression testing.
• Integrate and control GPS simulation environments, including Spirent GPS Simulation systems, to create realistic GNC and command/launch test conditions.
• Analyze HWIL and simulation data (often using MATLAB) to verify requirements, identify anomalies, and drive corrective actions.
System Integration & Leadership
• Work with systems, GNC, and hardware engineers to turn mission and safety critical requirements into concrete software designs and testable behaviors.
• Evaluate technical risks, issues, and trade-offs across suppliers and system elements; develop and present solution options, recommendations, and mitigation plans to program and customer leadership.
• Represent the program as a prime technical contact with customer and supplier counterparts, clearly communicating technical approaches, findings, and program status, and providing technical leadership to resolve complex issues with minimal direction.
• Support flight test buildup and execution with validated software and HWIL configurations.
• Participate in design, code, and test readiness reviews and provide clear technical guidance to Agile teams and suppliers.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s and 10+ years; or PhD and 8+ years. (Additional 4 years of experience may substitute for a degree.)
• U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Secret clearance (current and within scope).
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret and SAP approvals.
• 5+ years of hands on C++ development for embedded, real time, or mission critical systems.
• Experience integrating and testing software with hardware in a lab or HWIL environment.
• Practical experience with MATLAB and Simulink for modeling, simulation, and/or algorithm support to implementation and verification.
• Experience working in Agile Scrum environments.
• Experience in system integration, verification, and validation on DoD or aerospace/defense programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Demonstrated technical experience with HWIL environments for missile or aerial platforms (e.g., closed loop guidance, navigation, and control testing with representative hardware and simulation).
• Hands on experience with Spirent GPS Simulation systems (scenario creation, APIs/control, HWIL integration, procedures, and data analysis).
• Experience with real time simulation and HWIL frameworks such as Concurrent Real Time platforms or Speedgoat based environments (model integration, real time execution, closed loop testing).
• Experience developing or integrating software for GNC or navigation systems (e.g., missiles, weapon systems, aerospace platforms), using MATLAB/Simulink models to inform design and test.
• Experience with WOSA (Weapon Open Systems Architecture) including interface definition and modular, component based design.
• Proficiency with Python or similar scripting for test automation, data analysis, and HWIL orchestration.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Familiarity with MBSE/SysML tools (e.g., Cameo) and DOORS for requirements traceability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams while staying deeply engaged in C++ development, modeling/simulation, HWIL integration, and test.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Demonstrated technical experience with HWIL environments for missile or aerial platforms (e.g., closed loop guidance, navigation, and control testing with representative hardware and simulation).
• Hands on experience with Spirent GPS Simulation systems (scenario creation, APIs/control, HWIL integration, procedures, and data analysis).
• Experience with real time simulation and HWIL frameworks such as Concurrent Real Time platforms or Speedgoat based environments (model integration, real time execution, closed loop testing).
• Experience developing or integrating software for GNC or navigation systems (e.g., missiles, weapon systems, aerospace platforms), using MATLAB/Simulink models to inform design and test.
• Experience with WOSA (Weapon Open Systems Architecture) including interface definition and modular, component based design.
• Proficiency with Python or similar scripting for test automation, data analysis, and HWIL orchestration.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Familiarity with MBSE/SysML tools (e.g., Cameo) and DOORS for requirements traceability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams while staying deeply engaged in C++ development, modeling/simulation, HWIL integration, and test.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) with 12+ years, Master's with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years
- U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Secret clearance (current and within scope)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret and SAP approvals
- 5+ years hands-on C++ development for embedded, real-time, or mission-critical systems
- Experience integrating and testing software with hardware in a lab or HWIL environment
- Practical experience with MATLAB and Simulink for modeling, simulation, and algorithm support
- Experience working in Agile Scrum environments
- Experience in system integration, verification, and validation on DoD or aerospace/defense programs
- Experience implementing hardware interfaces, communication protocols, and device drivers
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance
- Technical experience with HWIL environments for missile or aerial platforms (closed-loop GNC testing)
- Hands-on experience with Spirent GPS Simulation systems
- Experience with real-time simulation/HWIL frameworks (Concurrent Real Time, Speedgoat)
- Experience developing or integrating software for GNC or navigation systems
- Experience with WOSA (Weapon Open Systems Architecture) and modular interface design
- Proficiency with Python for test automation, data analysis, and HWIL orchestration
- Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
- Familiarity with MBSE/SysML tools (Cameo) and DOORS for requirements traceability
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams while remaining hands-on in development and test
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.








