AHT - Software Engineer: Automation/AI - Level 2 or 3 (Chandler)

Northrop Grumman; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 79,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Software Engineer – Level 2 or 3, onsite in Chandler, AZ. You will design, develop, and maintain software and automation solutions, manage CI/CD pipelines, and support containerized environments.

This role emphasizes DevOps, AI/ML work, and collaboration across teams. The position requires hands-on Linux scripting, strong Python/Go skills, and experience with AI/ML deployment and cloud or on-prem infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience or Master’s with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance.
• Hands-on experience in Linux environments, including scripting and system configuration.
• Proficient in Python or Go with strong software development, debugging, and testing background.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD, version control, and automated pipelines for deployment.
• Experience developing and deploying AI/ML solutions.
• Familiarity with APIs and integrating models into applications or agentic frameworks (e.g., Mastra, LangChain).
• Strong understanding of LLMs, including fine-tuning, hosting, and inference optimization.
• Experience hosting AI/ML models in cloud environments or on-premise containerized infra.
• Familiarity with vector databases and retrieval-augmented tech.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, document, test, and debug application software and systems.
• Automate workflows and processes by building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and AI applications within a DevOps environment.
• Develop and maintain containerized applications for portability, scalability, and reliability.
• Provide infrastructure support by troubleshooting, optimizing performance, and maintaining high availability.
• Present strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Linux scripting

Python

Go

GitLab CI/CD

AI/ML development

APIs integration

LangChain

Mastra

LLMs

Cloud deployment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Mastra

LangChain

GitLab CI/CD

AWS

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
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.
Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Software Engineer – Level 2 or 3 located in Chandler, AZ, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
We are seeking a highly motivated Software Automation Engineer with expertise in C++ and Python development to join our dynamic team. You will play a key role in designing, developing, and maintaining software solutions while also managing DevOps processes, automating workflows with CI/CD pipelines, and supporting containerized development environments and infrastructure.
This role combines hands‑on software engineering expertise with the opportunity to work on cutting‑edge DevOps workflows and infrastructure support. Join us and be part of a team driving innovative solutions at the intersection of software, automation, and systems deployment.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Your Role And Impact

• Design, develop, document, test, and debug application software and systems
• Automate workflows and processes by building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and AI applications within a DevOps environment.
• Develop and maintain containerized applications to ensure portability, scalability, and reliability.
• Provide infrastructure support by troubleshooting, optimizing performance, and maintaining high availability of systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Other duties as assigned

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
This role can be filled at either a level 2 or level 3.
Basic Qualifications For Level 2

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
• Hands‑on experience working in Linux environments, including scripting and system configuration.
• Proficient in Python or GOLang with a strong background in software development, debugging, and testing.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD, version control systems, and automated pipelines for application deployment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and deploying AI and/or Machine Learning (ML) solutions.
• Familiarity with APIs and integrating models into applications or agentic frameworks such as Mastra, LangChain, or other similar toolkits for building autonomous agents.
• Strong understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), including fine‑tuning, hosting, and inference optimization.
• Experience with developing and hosting AI/ML models in cloud‑based environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP) or on‑premise containerized infrastructure.
• Familiarity with vector databases, retrieval‑augment

Basic Qualifications For Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
• Hands‑on experience working in Linux environments, including scripting and system configuration.
• Proficient in Python or GOLang with a strong background in software development, debugging, and testing.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD, version control systems, and automated pipelines for application deployment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and deploying AI and/or Machine Learning (ML) solutions.
• Familiarity with APIs and integrating models into applications or agentic frameworks such as Mastra, LangChain, or other similar toolkits for building autonomous agents.
• Strong understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), including fine‑tuning, hosting, and inference optimization.
• Experience with developing and hosting AI/ML models in cloud‑based environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP) or on‑premise containerized infrastructure.
• Familiarity with vector databases, retrieval‑augment

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance or higher

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $79,300.00 - $118,900.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $123,000.00
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.