Ground Software Integration Engineer (Level 3 or 4) - AHT

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Ground Software Integration Engineer to join our Space Sector in Redondo Beach, CA. The role focuses on leading GEP services, designing end-to-end ground systems, and ensuring secure data exchange across mission operations.

The ideal candidate will have strong ICD experience, knowledge of CCSDS/SLE protocols, and the ability to mentor teammates while coordinating with external providers. Onsite work with potential funding considerations is noted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM with 5+ years of software engineering experience or Master's with 3+ years or PhD with 1+ year (STEM).
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance.
• Experience with ground system interfaces and integration (GEPs, TT&C, SATCOM, or other ground assets).
• Demonstrated experience developing, interpreting, or maintaining Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Strong understanding of network protocols, data formats, and ground communications architectures.
• Experience coordinating technical requirements and issue resolution with external service providers or vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead Ground Entry Point (GEP) services integration, including ICDs, and act as primary technical interface with providers.
• Design, integrate, and operate end-to-end ground systems for interoperable mission operations.
• Implement and maintain secure data exchange solutions (encryption, IPsec, cross-domain integrations) and apply protocol standards (CCSDS, SLE, TCP/IP, Ka-/S-band).
• Use mission operations tools and orchestration software to enable reliable ground operations and lead ICD update cycles.
• Prepare technical charts, present data, and provide recommendations to internal teams and customers.
• Mentor team members across multiple program schedules to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Skills

Ground system integration

ICD development/maintenance

Network protocol knowledge

Cross-domain data exchange

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

GEP service providers

ICD tooling

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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

Please be aware that this position will be contingent upon obtaining and maintaining customer and/or business funding*

Northrop Grumman's Space Sector is seeking a Ground Software Integration Engineer (Level 3 or 4) to join our team of highly qualified, diverse professionals within the Western Region Software Engineering Directorate. This position is located onsite in Redondo Beach, CA.

The Western Region Software Engineering organization comprises over 800 skilled professionals—including Software Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Database Administrators, and Network Engineers—at every career stage, from early-career engineers to senior chief engineers and architects. The organization supports numerous programs and offers ample opportunities for advancement into higher-level technical roles or leadership positions. Our culture promotes cross-program collaboration, continuous professional development, and a strong sense of community.

Job responsibilities of the Ground Software Integration Engineer (Level 3 or 4) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead Ground Entry Point (GEP) services integration, including development and management of Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and serve as the primary technical interface with commercial GEP and ground station providers.
• Design, integrate, and operate end-to-end ground systems that ensure seamless interoperability across mission operations, ground communications, and secure data flows, including automated contact scheduling and data routing.
• Implement and maintain secure data exchange solutions (e.g., encryption, IPsec, cross-domain/data diode integrations) and apply protocol standards (CCSDS, SLE, TCP/IP, Ka-/S-band) to ground system and network designs.
• Utilize mission operations tools, network planning utilities, and orchestration software to enable reliable and efficient ground operations, and lead interface verification/test campaigns and ICD update cycles.
• Apply strong problem-solving skills to rapidly understand and resolve complex technical issues, and prepare technical charts, present data, and provide clear recommendations to internal teams, leadership, and external customers.
• Manage tasking and mentor team members across multiple, concurrent program schedules, ensuring high-quality execution of deliverables within tight deadlines.

*Please be aware that this position will be contingent upon obtaining and maintaining customer and/or business funding*

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on the qualifications listed below.

Basic Qualifications

• Principal Software Engineer (Level 3)
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5+years of relevant software engineering experience or Master's degree in a STEM discipline with3+years of stated experience or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with1+years of stated experience.
• Sr. Principal Software Engineer (Level 4)
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 8+years of relevant software engineering experience or Master's degree in a STEM discipline with6+years of stated experience or Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with4+years of stated experience.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
• Experience with ground system interfaces and integration (preferably with GEPs, Telemetry, Tracking, & Command (TT&C), SATCOM, or other ground communication assets).
• Demonstrated experience developing, interpreting, or maintaining Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Strong understanding of network protocols, data formats, and ground communications architectures.
• Experience coordinating technical requirements and issue resolution with external service providers or vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance
• Hands‑on experience integrating with commercial GEP service providers or equivalent commercial ground stations.
• Familiarity with automated ground contact scheduling, data routing, and mission data flows.
• Experience with secure data exchange (encryption, IPsec, cross-domain/data diode integration).
• Strong knowledge of protocol standards (CCSDS, SLE, TCP/IP, Ka/S-band satellite comms).
• Experience with mission operations tools, network planning, or orchestration software.
• Ability to support ICD update cycles, participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and drive interface verification/test campaigns.

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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.