Embedded Software Engineer – Level 2

Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance required for start: No. Clearance type: None. Travel: Yes, 10% of the time.

About the role

At Northrop Grumman, employees work on revolutionary systems that impact lives around the world today and for generations to come. The Space Sector provides an arena for passion for innovation and quest for exploration. As an Embedded Software Engineer – Level 2 in McLean, VA, you will support Lunar Base Infrastructure for NASA, developing space flight software platforms for Civil Commercial and National Space Security programs. The role is unclassified but requires the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software modules that interact directly with hardware protocols and interfaces including UART, Synchronous Serial, MIL-STD-1553, SPACEWIRE, SPI, discrete digital and analog IO.
• Work with other disciplines to establish flight‑software requirements, testing and verification plans.
• Develop and configure board support packages (BSPs) and integrate device drivers.
• Perform trade studies via computer simulation or kits & development boards.
• Integrate spacecraft components and flight software with the simulation platform alongside multiple engineers.
• Participate in hardware definition and software design, development, debug, and integration on simulation and hardware‑in‑the‑loop platforms.
• Analyze system resources to enhance efficiency, stability, and processing speed.
• Prepare design documentation, analysis, test results, and presentation materials for internal and external customers.
• Collaborate with software developers and other engineers to diagnose and identify root causes of problems found during software installation, integration, acceptance test, and operational events.
• Work in an innovative environment across diverse assignments in collaborative team settings at all levels.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering or related STEM field with 2 years of relevant professional experience – OR – Master’s degree in Aerospace/Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering or related STEM field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Government Top‑Secret (TS) security clearance and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) [TS/SCI]; U.S. citizenship required.
• Experience in C/Python/Linux/Git.
• Experience with software development unit/functional test frameworks and verification test scripting on hardware platforms.
• Experience with Kubernetes (K8s)/Docker.
• Experience with Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Experience collaborating within an integrated team of systems, software, and specialty engineers to develop solutions.

Qualifications

• Current and within‑scope active U.S. Government TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval/access.
• System knowledge in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft Command & Control, Mission Planning, Space Situational Awareness and Visualization.
• Experience with Ethernet in embedded systems.
• Familiarity with static code analysis tools such as Coverity, SonarQube, and Fortify.
• Hardware interfacing, integration, test, and controls experience.
• Understanding of common embedded system tools and real‑time operating systems (RTOS) VxWorks 6.9/7.0 and avionics integration and test practices.
• Ability to integrate flight‑software using simulation models of sensors, actuators, and space environments to demonstrate closed‑loop spacecraft system performance.
• Understanding of Jenkins, Jira (Agile, Scrum, Kanban), Bitbucket, and related DevSecOps tools.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to interface with all levels of employees and management.
• Experience developing software in a Linux OS environment.
• Experience with National Instruments data acquisition cards.
• Ability to read schematics and work with component datasheets.
• Experience with Digital, Analog, RS‑422 synchronous serial, UART, MIL‑STD‑1553, and SpaceWire electrical interfaces.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company‑paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus.
• Annual bonuses rewarding individual contributions and sharing in company results.
• Long‑Term Incentives for Vice President or Director positions.

Pay

$91,800.00 – $137,600.00 (salary range; base salary determined by scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and market conditions).

Schedule

9/80 schedule with every other Friday off; 100% onsite work, no telecommute option.