2027 Spring Co-op Software Engineer Intern - McClellan CA

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a software engineering co-op for Spring 2027 in the Mission Systems NIC division at McClellan, CA. You will work with senior engineers to design, develop, and test navigation and mission-planning software on embedded, real-time platforms.

You will write C/C++ and Python code, participate in code reviews, and contribute to certification activities while operating in an Agile Scrum environment. This is a hands-on opportunity with cross-functional coordination.

Qualifications

• Be enrolled full-time and plan to continue in Fall 2027.
• Majoring in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field.
• Available to work full-time for at least 10 weeks in Spring 2027.
• Able to obtain and maintain U.S. government security clearance and access.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior engineers to design, develop, and integrate software for navigation and mission planning.
• Write clean C/C++ and Python code for embedded and real-time platforms.
• Perform unit, integration, and system testing with automated frameworks and CI pipelines.
• Participate in code reviews and document design decisions and APIs.
• Assist in troubleshooting and performance profiling of flight-critical software.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Python

Agile/Scrum

Automated testing

Education

Pursuing Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Git

Jenkins

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: No 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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

A co-op at Northrop Grumman is unique. Sure, you'll learn new skills, explore our enterprise, network with experts, connect with thought leaders, and finish with a resume that opens doors. But you'll gain something even more valuable: pride in what you've done. Join us and launch your career. We'll support you with training, professional development and networking opportunities, and our shared vision of global security.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Software Engineers for a 2027 spring Co-op opportunity. This position will be located at our Mission Systems sector in McClellan, CA.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman's Navigation, Intelligence, and Connectivity (NIC) division.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior software engineers in the NIC division to design, develop, and integrate software components for navigation and mission‑planning systems.
• Write clean, maintainable C/C++ and Python code that will run on embedded and real‑time platforms.
• Perform unit, integration, and system‑level testing using automated test frameworks and continuous integration pipelines.
• Participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and incorporate peer recommendations to improve code quality and reliability.
• Document design decisions, API specifications, and operational procedures for internal use and external audits.
• Assist in troubleshooting and performance profiling of flight‑critical software to meet stringent safety and latency requirements.
• Contribute to the development of safety‑critical certification artifacts (e.g., DO‑178C design reviews, IS‑145 safety analyses).
• Work within Agile Scrum teams: attend sprint planning, daily stand‑ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams (systems engineering, hardware integration, security) to ensure seamless end‑to‑end mission support.
• Explore and prototype emerging technologies (e.g., machine learning inference on edge devices, secure communication protocols) that could enhance navigation accuracy and resilience.

Basic Qualifications:

• A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:
• Be a student who is enrolled full‑time and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college/university and will be enrolled full time in Fall 2027
• Be majoring in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related STEM degree.
• Be available to work full‑time (40 hours per week) for at least 10 weeks during spring 2027.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre‑requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre‑requisite)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• Hands on experience with embedded C/C++ development on embedded and real time platforms.
• Familiarity with safety critical software development processes and standards (e.g., DO 178C, ISO 26262).
• Proficiency in Python for rapid prototyping and data analysis.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum practices, automated testing frameworks, and code review tools.
• Exposure to defense acquisition or DoD software lifecycle processes is a plus.

Intern Pay Range:

• Bachelor's: $21.50 to $39.00 per hour
• Master's: $30.50 to $48.00 per hour

At Northrop Grumman, our internship pay rates are standardized and take into account three main factors: the anticipated graduation date of the individual, the cost of labor of the geographic location, and whether the internship is considered technical or administrative.