Graduate Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman UK; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work

Private healthcare

Dental

Life insurance

Pension

Health plan

Holiday buy/sell

Career development

Annual incentive

Job summary

Northrop Grumman UK is offering a two‑year Graduate Software Engineer programme in Cheltenham starting September 2027. You will join Agile teams, contribute to software that supports national defence, and write code in Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++ to help customers achieve missions.

You will have a personalised development plan, dedicated mentors, and opportunities to rotate across projects, with flexible working options and travel about 10%.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science or demonstrated equivalent knowledge.
• Experience writing code in Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to meet requirements.
• Ability to contribute to projects through to completion within timescales.
• Interest in working in a collaborative Agile environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and improve software that helps customers achieve their missions.
• Write clear, effective code using Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++.
• Work within Agile development teams to deliver high‑quality software.
• Apply software engineering practices across the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with colleagues to understand requirements and develop innovative solutions.
• Deliver agreed requirements within appropriate timescales and help take projects through to completion.

Skills

Python

JavaScript

Java

C/C++

Agile

SDLC

Education

Software Engineering

Computer Science

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Job description

UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: No

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Graduate Software Engineer

Salary: £32,500

Programme start date: September 2027

Citizenship required: UK citizenship required

Security clearance: Security Check (SC)

Travel required: Approximately 10%

Location: Cheltenham

Working arrangement: Flexible working options subject to the role and programme needs

Hours: Full-time

Requisition ID: R10251077

At Northrop Grumman UK, you’ll be part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible. This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.

This is more than just a job. It’s a mission.

Ready to begin your software engineering career by developing technology that supports strategically important national defence programmes?

As a Graduate Software Engineer, you will contribute to pioneering projects that use innovative technologies to solve complex customer challenges. Working closely with our customers and experienced engineering teams, you will help create software‑centric capabilities that enable them to perform their missions successfully.

You will join collaborative Agile development teams made up of experienced engineers and early careers professionals. Depending on your project and development plan, you could work with technologies and approaches including artificial intelligence, microservices, web‑oriented architectures, cloud technologies, enterprise integration patterns and open‑source products.

This is an opportunity to strengthen your technical expertise, explore different areas of software engineering and contribute to work with real purpose.

Our Graduate Programme

Our structured two‑year Graduate Programme is designed to help you turn your academic knowledge and coding experience into practical software engineering expertise.

Starting in September 2027, the programme combines on‑the‑job learning with technical, professional and leadership skills development. There may also be opportunities to rotate across projects, giving you exposure to different types of work and helping you explore your technical interests.

You will have a personalised development plan agreed with your line manager, alongside support from a dedicated mentor, buddy, project lead and line manager. From the beginning, you will contribute to meaningful projects while learning from experienced software professionals.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop and improve software that helps customers achieve their missions
• Write clear, effective code using languages such as Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++
• Work within Agile development teams to deliver high‑quality software
• Apply software engineering practices across the development lifecycle
• Collaborate with colleagues to understand requirements and develop innovative solutions
• Deliver agreed requirements within appropriate timescales and help take projects through to completion

Along The Way, You Could Develop Experience In

• Cybersecurity
• Software architecture and design
• Systems and application development
• Artificial intelligence and microservices
• Web‑oriented architectures and cloud technologies
• Enterprise integration patterns and open‑source products
• Agile methodologies and DevSecOps tools

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for graduates who are passionate about software development and computing, enjoy solving challenging problems and want to use technology to make a meaningful difference. You will be curious, analytical and ready to contribute within a collaborative team environment.

Essential

• A relevant degree, achieved or on target to be achieved, such as Software Engineering or Computer Science (or can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills through work experience or other training)
• A genuine passion for software development and computing
• Experience writing code in a relevant programming language, such as Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++
• An understanding of the software development lifecycle
• Strong analytical skills and logical reasoning
• The ability to work towards agreed requirements and timescales
• The potential to contribute to projects through to their conclusion

Desired

• The ability to approach problems creatively and develop innovative solutions

We welcome applications from candidates who have gained relevant skills outside of traditional degree routes. If you've built your expertise through work experience, an apprenticeship, professional certifications, bootcamps, open‑source contributions, or significant personal projects, then we encourage your application.

If you do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Sometimes people hesitate because they cannot tick every box. If this opportunity interests you and you believe you could grow into the role, we would like to hear from you.

Due to the nature of our work, you must have Sole UK citizenship and be able to gain and maintain UK Government Security Check clearance in line with the requirements of the role.

Our recruitment team is on hand to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Contact [e-mail] for further information.

Benefits

• Flexible working options, including hybrid arrangements and compressed fortnights with every other Friday off
• Private healthcare, dental, life assurance and pension
• Flexible benefits package, including critical illness cover and a health cash plan
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• Career development programmes
• Annual performance incentive programme

Why join us?

• A Mission to Believe In: Every day, we contribute to building a more secure and connected world.
• A Place to Belong and Thrive: Every voice matters. Find community and belonging through our employee networks and get involved with STEM volunteering events.
• Your Career, Your Way: Discover your possible through diverse roles, mentorship and development opportunities tailored to your ambitions.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.