Missile Tracking Systems Specialist - Level 3 or 4 (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Discretionary bonus potential

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Boulder, CO is seeking a Missile Tracking Systems Specialist (Level 3 or 4) to design, implement and optimize tracking domain software using modern C++ for mission-critical applications.

The role requires current Secret clearance, in-person work at our Boulder campus, and collaboration with system architects and domain experts to deliver low-latency, reliable tracking solutions on the BOA program.

Qualifications

• Security clearance required (Secret).
• Experience with missile tracking or similar real-time systems is preferred.
• Strong coding foundations and ability to translate requirements into software.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex tracking problems and engineer reliable software solutions.
• Translate tactical domain requirements into functional, scalable logic.
• Bridge mission needs with robust, maintainable tracking code and processes.
• Collaborate with system architects and domain experts to improve tracking capabilities.

Skills

C++ programming

Low-latency real-time systems

Problem solving

Domain knowledge in tracking systems

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

C POSIX Linux

CUDA GPU programming

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.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU) has an exciting career opportunity for a Missile Tracking Systems Specialist (Level 3 or 4 – Software Engineer) on the BOA program. Join our team in solving critical engineering challenges in the defense and aerospace sector. We are seeking a Missile Tracking Systems Specialist to design, implement, and optimize solutions for missile tracking domain applications.

This position is 100% in-person, with a campus nestled in the foothills of Boulder, CO, just 25 miles from downtown Denver. Our site is home to around 300 engineers, with approximately half of them supporting the BOA program.

Position Overview

This role is built for sharp technical problem solvers. While you will be translating domain requirements into functional modern C++ code, we value your analytical mindset and tracking expertise over a traditional software background. Whether you possess basic coding skills or bring deep expertise in low-latency architectures, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our tracking systems operate with mission-critical precision.

Essential Functions

• Solve Technical Problems: Analyze complex, abstract algorithmic challenges and engineer reliable solutions for tracking applications.
• Implement Domain Requirements: Translate tactical requirements into functional logic and scalable workflows deployed in missile tracking environments.
• Bridge Logic and Design: Turn complex mission requirements into structured, reliable tracking code and technical processes.
• Collaborate and Iterate: Work alongside system architects and domain experts to continuously improve tracking capabilities.

Seeking candidates who find satisfaction in working on challenging and diverse assignments in collaborative settings across all levels.

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

This requisition may be filled at either the Missile Tracking Systems Specialist (Level 3 or 4).

Basic Qualifications

• Missile Tracking Systems Specialist (Level 3): Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred from an accredited university and 5 years of related experience, or a master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of experience, or a PhD and 1 year of experience.
• Missile Tracking Systems Specialist (Level 4): Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of related experience, or a master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of experience, or a PhD and 4 years of experience.
• Security Clearance: All applicants must have a current active, in-scope U.S. Government-issued Secret Security Clearance at the time of application which is required to start.
• Work Location: Ability to work 100% in-person at our office due to the classified nature of the program.
• Problem-Solving Core: Proven ability to break down complex technical problems and build concrete solutions.
• Foundational Coding: Basic programming skills and the comfort level to write and understand software logic.
• Domain Alignment: Experience, education, or significant familiarity with tracking systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Domain Expertise: Experience with sensor processing, tracking (data fusion, false track reduction, cross-track resolution), state estimation (Kalman filters), orbital dynamics, or optimization & assignment algorithms.
• Advanced Coding: Strong expertise in C++ development, C POSIX Linux programming, or CUDA GPU programming. Understanding of proper API library development, unit testing with dependency injection, or dependency decoupling.
• Architecture Experience: Background building highly resilient, low-latency, real-time systems (thread pools, memory pools, event sourcing, Linux HPC).

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.