Embedded Flight Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4

Northrop Grumman; Linthicum (MD); On-site; USD 109,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Company‑paid holidays

Bonuses

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector seeks an Embedded Flight Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to design, develop, integrate, and test software for a Space payload unit in Linthicum, MD. The role emphasizes C++, Linux, and Python within an agile team on 9/80 schedule, onsite with travel up to 10%.

Expect collaboration across the Payload and Ground Software Engineering teams, peer reviews, and performance in embedded real‑time systems. Top Secret clearance and US citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or another STEM discipline with a minimum of 5 years of software development experience on embedded real‑time systems; OR Master’s degree with 3 years; OR PhD with 1 year.
• US Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain Top Secret clearance with SCI access.
• Experience developing Object‑Oriented code using C++.
• Ability to debug own code and trace/understand existing code.
• Experience integrating developed software applications and using tools/logs to verify correct operation.
• Experience reviewing work products and providing meaningful feedback.
• Experience in embedded software development and cross‑compiling with GCC.
• Experience developing in a Linux environment.
• Experience with software configuration management tools.

Responsibilities

• Work through all phases of the software development cycle including design, development, integration, and test.
• Conduct peer reviews of software-related products, software designs, and technical documents.
• Participate in cross-functional scrum team activities.
• Understand system requirements and implement and debug software to meet completion criteria.
• Prioritize work and make recommendations to Technical Leads as required.
• Collaborate with engineering and system specialists to execute primary tasking.

Skills

C++

Linux

Python

OO design

GCC

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE or STEM

Master's degree (CS/CE or STEM)

PhD (STEM)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Bitbucket

GDB

Job description

Overview

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking an Embedded Flight Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to join our team in Linthicum, MD. The software engineer will design, develop, integrate, and test software that manages a Space payload unit ensuring compliance with established requirements. The role supports Payload and Ground Software Engineering Eastern Region and works on an agile development team primarily using C++, Linux and/or Python.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. It is 100% onsite and does not accommodate telecommute work. Relocation assistance may be available. Travel: Yes, 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Work through all phases of the software development cycle including design, development, integration, and test.
• Conduct peer reviews of software-related products, software designs, and technical documents.
• Participate in cross-functional scrum team activities.
• Understand system requirements and implement and debug software to meet completion criteria.
• Prioritize work and make recommendations to Technical Leads as required.
• Collaborate with engineering and system specialists to execute primary tasking.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications for Level 3 (Principal)

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or another STEM discipline with a minimum of 5 years of software development experience on embedded real‑time systems – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of experience – OR PhD with 1 year of experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. US Citizenship required.
• Experience developing Object‑Oriented code using C++.
• Ability to debug own code and trace/understand existing code.
• Experience integrating developed software applications and using tools and logs to verify correct operation.
• Experience reviewing work products and providing meaningful feedback.
• Experience in embedded software development and cross‑compiling with GCC.
• Experience developing in a Linux environment.
• Experience with software configuration management tools.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4 (Sr Principal)

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of software development experience on embedded real‑time systems – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of experience – OR PhD with 4 years of experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. US Citizenship required.
• Experience developing Object‑Oriented code using C++.
• Ability to debug own code and trace/understand existing code.
• Experience integrating developed software applications and using tools and logs to verify correct operation.
• Experience reviewing work products and providing meaningful feedback.
• Experience in embedded software development and cross‑compiling with GCC.
• Experience developing in a Linux environment.
• Experience with software configuration management tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance.
• Experience as a member of an Agile Scrum team.
• Experience with developing software in Python.
• Experience in embedded C++ optimizations.
• Experience debugging with GDB.
• Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket).
• Experience with software control of digital logic / FPGAs / firmware.
• Hands‑on hardware integration and testing experience.
• Ability to debug complex integrated applications or test setup issues.

Salary

• Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 – $163,200.00
• Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 – $203,600.00

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions. A variety of benefits are provided including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off.

EEO Statement

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. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Contingency

This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding. The position is also contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.