Manager Software Engineering 1

Northrop Grumman; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a forward‑thinking Functional Software Engineering Manager Level 1 in Aurora, CO. The role combines hands‑on software/DevOps/AI engineering with people leadership, overseeing 12–15 early career reports and reporting to the SW Department Manager.

Responsibilities include coaching, staffing, AI solution development, performance management, and process rigor. Security clearance required; relocation assistance may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM with 6+ years in Software Eng, DevOps, or AI Eng.
• Master’s degree with 4+ years, or PhD with 3+ years of related experience.
• Active Top-Secret clearance and SCI eligibility at application time.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of software, DevOps, and AI engineers (12–15 reports).
• Own full hiring lifecycle: workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, retention.
• Identify and implement AI solutions to speed tasks and improve effectiveness.
• Manage performance: set goals, run reviews, coordinate compensation discussions.
• Enforce engineering-process standards and agile practices.
• Partner with HR to address personnel issues and policy adherence.

Skills

Leadership

Staffing & Hiring

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s degree

PhD in related field

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.

NorthropGrumman is seeking a forward‑thinking leader to join the engineering team in Aurora, Colorado as a Functional Software Engineering Manager Level 1. The selected individual’s primary role will be in a technical execution capacity for a program performing out of Aurora while also being accountable for managing a diverse group of 12‑15 early career direct reports across the SW Engineering organization (SW, DevOps, AI/ML). This dual‑track role blends technical execution with people leadership and will report directly to the SW Department Manager.

Core Responsibilities

• Team Coaching & Development – Lead, mentor, and grow a team of software, DevOps, and AI engineers; hold regular 1:1s, staff meetings, and career‑development workshops. Identify and develop top performing talent across the organization.
• Staffing & Talent Acquisition – Own the full hiring lifecycle: workforce planning, recruiting (including external hires), re‑assignment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• AI Solution Development – Help identify and implement AI solutions to accelerate daily tasks, improve organizational effectiveness, and drive data-driven talent development. Drive organization‑wide standardization and promote its adoption.
• Performance Management – Set clear goals, conduct performance assessments, coordinate compensation reviews, and recognize high‑impact contributions.
• Process Rigor – Enforce engineering‑process standards, agile/lean practices, and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Employee Relations – Partner with HR Business Partner on HR matters, resolve personnel issues, and ensure compliance with corporate policies (goal setting, performance reviews, etc.).

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM related discipline and a minimum of 6 years related experience in Software Engineering, DevOps, or AI Engineering; Master's degree and 4 years of related experience; or a PhD and 3 years of related experience
• Active Top-Secret clearance and SCI eligibility required at time of application
• Minimum of 3 years direct technical execution experience in Software Engineering, DevOps, or AI/ML related position
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills