AI Tooling Engineer – Level 2 or 3 (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; Town of Aurora (NY); On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking an AI Tooling Software Engineer – Level 2 or 3 based in Aurora CO. The role focuses on building and integrating AI-powered tools using Claude and Claude Code to accelerate development.

Responsibilities include identifying AI-enabled workflows, designing Claude-based tools, and creating prompts, scripts, and integrations while coordinating with security on data handling and complying with policies.

Qualifications

• Level 2: science degree with 2+ years software dev, or 4 years extra experience in lieu of a degree.
• Level 3: science degree with 5+ years software dev; 3+ years with a Master’s; or 4 extra years in lieu of a degree.
• Must have active Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility at time of application.
• Understanding of prompts, context, and input/output constraints, and how they affect results.
• Demonstrated interest in using AI to improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and enhance software or program workflows.
• Hands-on use of AI-assisted coding tools or LLMs (Claude Code, Copilot).
• Familiarity with REST/HTTP APIs, JSON, Git, issue tracking, and basic CI/CD.
• Experience building internal tools, scripts, or small applications.
• Clear communication and collaboration with technical and non-technical teammates.

Responsibilities

• Identify program workflows that can benefit from AI tooling.
• Design and maintain Claude-based tools and skills.
• Use Claude Code and AI assistants to speed development and automation.
• Build scripts and integrations (Python, JS/TS, REST APIs) to connect AI with internal systems.
• Create and maintain prompt libraries, templates, and usage standards.
• Track usage and impact of AI tools and iterate based on data and feedback.
• Write documentation and deliver demos and training for AI tooling.
• Coordinate with security/compliance on data handling and access controls.
• Monitor updates to Claude and related tooling and recommend adoption.

Skills

AI tooling

REST APIs

Git

Python

JavaScript/TypeScript

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Master's degree in science

Tools

Claude

Claude Code

Copilot

Git

Job description

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.

Are you interested in expanding your career through experience and exposure, all while supporting a mission that seeks to ensure the security of our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman Space Sector is the place for you. With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Northrop Grumman is currently seeking an AI Tooling Software Engineer – Level 2 or 3 based in Aurora CO.

This role focuses on building and integrating AI-powered tools using existing capabilities (e.g., Claude and Claude Code). It does not require developing or training new machine learning models.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify program workflows that can benefit from AI tooling.
• Design and maintain Claude-based tools and skills.
• Use Claude Code and AI assistants to speed development and automation.
• Build scripts and integrations (Python, JS/TS, REST APIs) to connect AI with internal systems.
• Create and maintain prompt libraries, templates, and usage standards.
• Track usage and impact of AI tools and iterate based on data and feedback.
• Write documentation and deliver demos and training for AI tooling.
• Coordinate with security/compliance on data handling and access controls.
• Monitor updates to Claude and related tooling and recommend adoption.

Basic Qualifications:

• Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in science with 2+ years of software development experience; 0+ years with a Master’s; or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in science with 5+ years of software development experience; 3+ years with a Master’s; or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Must have active Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility at time of application.
• Understanding of core AI usage concepts such as prompts, context, and input/output constraints, and how they affect results.
• Demonstrated interest in using AI to improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and enhance software or program workflows.
• Hands‑on use of AI‑assisted coding tools or LLMs (e.g., Claude Code, Copilot).
• Familiarity with REST/HTTP APIs, JSON, Git, issue tracking, and basic CI/CD.
• Experience building internal tools, scripts, or small applications.
• Clear communication and collaboration with technical and non‑technical teammates.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Solid grounding in software best practices (code reviews, unit tests, design patterns, version control).
• Experience on cross‑functional projects with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience with LLM‑driven workflows (Ralph loops, Agentic deisgn, RAG‑style patterns).
• Exposure to platforms that provide AI/ML capabilities via APIs (cloud or internal).
• Active SCI clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

Secondary 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.