Ground SW Engineer: C/C++ Simulation – Level 3 or 4 (Chandler) (AHT)

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 98,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Chandler, AZ is seeking a software engineer to design, develop, test, and integrate ground support equipment software, simulators, and test tools in a Linux-based classified environment.

The role focuses on C/C++ development, with Java support, and may include technical leadership. On-site 9/80 schedule; DoD Secret clearance required; relocation assistance may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 5 years of professional experience; or Master’s degree with 3 years; or PhD with 1 year.
• Active DoD Secret clearance at the time of application with ability to obtain additional program access.
• Experience developing object‑oriented software in C/C++ in a Linux environment.
• Experience developing, integrating, or testing software for simulators, ground support equipment, test tools, embedded systems, or closely related real‑time or mission‑critical applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and integrate ground support equipment (GSE) software, simulators, and test tools.
• Develop simulation and test-tool software, as well as GSE and core application software.
• Perform object‑oriented software development primarily in C/C++, with Java in a Linux environment.
• Create software requirements specifications and design documentation.
• Participate in peer reviews, configuration management, and other software‑process activities.
• Support hardware/software interface development, simulator deployment, system integration, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with embedded, GNC, systems, test, and EE teams in an integration-heavy environment.
• Develop, test, and integrate software in a classified work environment.
• At higher level, support technical leadership activities, schedules, and program/customer discussions, as needed.

Skills

C/C++

Linux

Java

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

CI/CD pipelines

HWIL tools

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: No

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.

Role Summary

In this role, you will develop and integrate ground support equipment (GSE) software, simulators, and test tools in a Linux-based, classified development environment. The work is centered primarily on object-oriented C/C++ development, with Java also supporting the environment. This role includes simulation and test tool development, GSE and core application development, hardware/software interface support, system integration, troubleshooting, and software life‑cycle activities including requirements, design documentation, peer reviews, testing, and configuration management. At the higher level, this role may also include technical leadership responsibilities such as guiding less‑experienced engineers, supporting schedules and program/customer discussions, and helping drive work through integration and delivery.

This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

In this job, you will

• Design, develop, test, and integrate ground support equipment (GSE) software, simulators, and test tools.
• Develop simulation and test-tool software, as well as GSE and core application software, in support of mission needs.
• Perform object‑oriented software development primarily in C/C++, with Java in a Linux environment.
• Create software requirements specifications and design documentation.
• Participate in peer reviews, configuration management, and other software‑process activities.
• Support hardware/software interface development, simulator deployment, system integration, and troubleshooting.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and apply sound engineering judgment to resolve them.
• Collaborate with embedded, GNC, systems, test, and other engineering partners in an integration‑heavy environment.
• Develop, test, and integrate software in a classified work environment.
• At the higher level, support technical leadership activities, schedules, and program/customer discussions, as needed.
• 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 can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 5 years of professional experience; or Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience; or PhD with 1 year of professional experience. Additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at the time of application, with ability to obtain additional program access as required.
• Professional experience developing object‑oriented software in C or C++ in a Linux environment.
• Professional experience developing, integrating, or testing software for simulators, ground support equipment, test tools, embedded systems, or closely related real‑time or mission‑critical applications.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 8 years of professional experience; or Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience; or PhD with 4 years of professional experience. Additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at the time of application, with ability to obtain additional program access as required.
• Professional experience developing object‑oriented software in C or C++ in a Linux environment.
• Professional experience developing, integrating, or testing software for simulators, ground support equipment, test tools, embedded systems, or closely related real‑time or mission‑critical applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Java software development.
• Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools, including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and software delivery workflows.
• Experience in RTOS environments or with real‑time applications.
• Experience with simulation development.
• Experience with HWIL, computer‑in‑the‑loop, integration labs, test stands, or mission or flight‑critical systems.
• Experience with Python for scripting, automation, or test support.
• Experience with software integration, troubleshooting, hardware/software interface support, or software deployment in lab or classified environments.
• Experience collaborating across software, embedded, GNC, systems, test, or EE teams in an integration‑heavy environment.
• Experience leading technical efforts, guiding less‑experienced engineers, or owning work products through integration and delivery.

Benefits

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.

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

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.