Embedded Software Manager – Level 1 (Secret) Chandler

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 115,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Software Manager to lead embedded software teams across multiple Launch Systems programs in Chandler, AZ. You will guide a team of about 10–15 engineers, balancing management with hands-on technical and program execution leadership.

The role emphasizes direct execution, staffing alignment, and delivery, with collaboration across Systems, Electrical, GN&C, and leadership. A Secret clearance is required, and the position is 100% onsite in Chandler.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience or Master’s with 3 years of experience.
• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance required.
• Experience in embedded, real‑time, mission‑critical software development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a software engineering team of embedded software developers across multiple programs.
• Balance functional management with direct technical and program execution support.
• Staff, recruit, and develop engineers to meet program requirements and delivery goals.
• Advance software engineering processes, development standards, and peer-review expectations.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, GN&C, and program leadership.
• Ensure disciplined engineering practices for embedded software across lifecycle phases.

Skills

Security clearance

Embedded software

C/C++

RTOS

People leadership

Staffing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

EVMS

CAM

DevSecOps

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: 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.

Description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Software Manager to support embedded software teams across multiple Launch Systems programs in Chandler, AZ. This position will lead a team of approximately 10 software engineers, with anticipated growth toward 15, supporting program execution, staffing, and technical delivery needs across the portfolio.

In this role, you will lead a software engineering team supporting embedded, real-time, and mission-critical applications. The role balances functional management responsibilities with direct technical and program-execution support, with an expected emphasis on direct execution, technical review, staffing alignment, and delivery across multiple programs. The manager will partner closely with Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, GN&C, program leadership, chief engineers, and functional leaders to address technical, staffing, and execution challenges. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a healthy workforce by aligning staffing assignments, recruiting, retention, and development with embedded software program execution and strategic growth needs across multiple programs.
• Provide performance management, coaching, mentoring, and development planning for software engineers in alignment with the enterprise review cycle.
• Support the creation, updating, and maintenance of software engineering processes, development standards, peer-review expectations, and disciplined delivery practices for embedded software.
• Guide teams in software lifecycle execution across requirements, design, coding, integration, test, verification, release, delivery, and sustainment.
• Promote disciplined engineering practices for embedded, real-time, and mission-critical software applications, including technical reviews and hands‑on support to execution challenges as needed.
• Partner with Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, GN&C, program leadership, chief engineers, and functional leaders to resolve software technical, staffing, and execution challenges.
• Balance functional‑management responsibilities with direct support to technical and program execution, including staffing assignments that enable delivery across multiple programs.
• Support continuous improvement in tools, automation, DevSecOps workflows, quality practices, software affordability, and software delivery execution.
• 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 position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications for an SW Manager 1

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Professional experience supporting software development in an embedded, real-time, mission‑critical, aerospace, defense, or comparable hardware‑integrated environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading or providing technical leadership for embedded software teams in a defense, aerospace, or other mission‑critical environment.
• Experience with C/C++ and real‑time operating systems (RTOS).
• Experience with embedded software development, integration, verification, release planning, and delivery in a fast‑paced development environment.
• Experience with people leadership, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, staffing, hiring, retention, and/or development planning.
• Demonstrated ability to balance people leadership with direct technical and program‑execution responsibilities.
• Experience coordinating with Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, GN&C, and other cross‑functional technical partners.
• Familiarity with EVMS reporting, CAM responsibilities, and execution within cost and schedule constraints.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical risks, priorities, and tradeoffs to technical and program stakeholders.
• Familiarity with organizational partners such as supply chain, procurement, logistics, mission assurance, and production operations.

As a leader with integrity, you ensure ethical conduct, balanced results, and partner satisfaction. You respect and nurture growth, fostering a culture of excellence. Skilled in building collaborative teams and customer trust, you communicate well, foster strong teams, and embrace change.

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

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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,900.00 - $172,300.00

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.