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Principal Engineer Software

Northrop Grumman
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San Diego, CA, USA
Sep 21, 2026
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal Engineer Software to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Software organization. This position is located on site in San Diego, California.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility.  There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position.  Travel up to 25% may be required.

In this role you will design, develop, integrate and test software (SW) for our end-user customers and businesses. You will be responsible for the design, architecture, development, and administration of embedded and real time systems.  You will work with multi-disciplinary teams, such as Systems Engineering, Cloud & Application, Test Automation, DevSecOps and Systems Test, in an Agile SW development environment.  You will analyze system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques and controls.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative team settings across all levels

  • Participate in the full SW development life cycle including requirements, design, implementation, qualification, and delivery of SW products to our customers

  • Operate in an embedded technology development environment working with real time operating systems for use in flight and mission critical systems

  • Work in Agile Scrum teams to develop SW products for multiple SW baselines

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.

  • Experience with the full SW Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

  • Experience with Agile SW development, embedded system programming, SW integration and testing.

  • Experience with the following programming and scripting languages: C, C++, and Python.

  • Experience with two of the following tools: Jira, GitLab, Docker, Fortify, Coverity, or Black Duck.

  • Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance (must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Program Access (SAP/PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with developing multi-threaded SW used for one of the following real-time applications: flight critical SW, Safety critical SW, medical SW, or mission critical SW.

  • Recent experience and proficiency in software architecture, design, implementation, integration, and debugging C++ SW running on Real-Time Operating systems such as: VxWorks, Integrity, AND/OR Real Time Embedded Linux.

  • Recent experience and proficiency in software architecture, design, implementation, integration, Docker Containers, RHEL 8.10 or later.

  • Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) access.

  • Ability to identify moderate execution defects by only reading code.

  • Understanding of how their embedded SW component will fit into a larger SW system / architecture.

  • Able to document, capture, and present software architectural components in modeling or diagramming tools.

  • Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) access.

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Job ID

R10237449

Security Clearance

Top Secret
About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines.

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