Software Engineer Level 3 or 4 (AHT)

Relocation assistance may be available. Top Secret clearance required for start. Travel: 10% of the time.

About the role

Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking multiple Software Engineers to support an innovative program in the development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software. This position is located onsite at our Aurora, CO, Fairfax, VA, or Morrisville, NC campus.

The ideal candidate will take ownership of complex problems, drive solutions in a team environment, and provide leadership for implementation. The Software Engineer will participate in the full software development life cycle, including requirements development, modeling and design, application development, testing, integration, release, installation, and maintenance. This role requires interfacing with systems analysts, programmers, and users to ensure IT designs meet end-user needs, documenting requirements, and developing test procedures.

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills are required, as the role involves interaction with Program Management and/or government customers. Experience with bash scripting, Python, or other OOP languages in a Linux environment is required.

About our organization

Our Aurora Software & Digital Engineering department comprises 200+ engineers, DevOps specialists, system administrators, DBAs, and network engineers—from entry-level talent to chief architects. Engineers often serve as informal subject-matter experts and may assume formal technical-leadership roles. Career progression into higher-level technical or leadership positions is strongly supported.

Responsibilities

• Full stack development at the OS, platform, and mission-unique software layer.
• Develop applications using GO, Python, Postgres, Kubernetes/Docker, AWS cloud infrastructure provisioning, PKI, and static code analysis execution and remediation.
• Act as a self-starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.
• Develop software for command and control functionality of hardware systems (sending commands, receiving acknowledgements, integrating across interfaces).
• Develop software enabling activity planning and constraint checking to achieve mission outcomes.
• Develop software for visualizing complex and dynamic environments in 2D and 3D, including decision tools, intelligent context, and user-centric interface design.

Requirements

This position may be filled at the Principal Software Engineer (level 3) or Sr. Principal Software Engineer (level 4).

Principal Software Engineer (Level 3)

• Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of development experience (3 years with a Master’s Degree, 1 year with a PhD). 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility at time of application.
• 2 years of experience with Agile programs.
• 2 years of experience with the design, build, and deployment of software products.
• 2 years of experience in producing software architecture documentation.
• Experience with Python, GO, AWS, GitLab workflows, and Docker/Kubernetes.

Sr. Principal Software Engineer (Level 4)

• Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years of development experience (6 years with a Master’s Degree, 4 years with a PhD). 4 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility at time of application.
• 4 years of experience with Agile programs.
• 4 years of experience with the design, build, and deployment of software products.
• 4 years of experience in producing software architecture documentation.
• 5 years of experience with Python, GO, AWS, GitLab workflows, and Docker/Kubernetes.
• Prior experience with development of microservice software architecture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing satellite ground software for spacecraft missions, including Command and Control, Mission Planning, Visualization, and/or Astrodynamics.
• Experience creating and using planning software and constraint-checking applications for complex and dynamic space mission planning.
• Experience creating and implementing visualization tools for space missions, including dynamic renderings of space vehicles, depiction of missions, simulation of sensor and mission outputs, and configuration displays of contextual and situational awareness information.
• Linux, Ansible, Docker, and UI/UX experience.
• Active CI polygraph.

Pay

Primary Level (Principal Software Engineer) Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level (Sr. Principal Software Engineer) Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

The above salary ranges represent general guidelines. Northrop Grumman considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions when determining base salary offers. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.