Payload Flight Software Lead - Level 6

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 193,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Payload Flight Software Lead in Redondo Beach, CA to guide embedded real‑time software development from design through verification. The role emphasizes architecture, integration, and collaboration with Systems Engineering, Hardware, and I&T teams to ensure robust flight software across mission profiles.

The ideal candidate has strong C/C++ expertise, VxWorks RTOS experience, and a proven track record leading software teams, with an ability to translate system

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 14 years of relevant experience; or a Master's with 12; or a PhD with 10.
• Active SCI clearance at the time of application.
• Experience leading a software team.
• Expert level proficiency in embedded C/C++ development.
• Extensive experience with real-time OS such as VxWorks.
• Full‑cycle software development from requirements to testing.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining software documentation.
• Proficiency with bus implementations and protocols 1553 and SpaceWire.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, architecture, development, integration, test and verification of flight software for embedded and real‑time systems.
• Produce and maintain architectural artifacts (block diagrams, ICDs, traceability matrices, trade studies).
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Hardware, and I&T teams; work with external partners.
• Define and evolve software architectures; troubleshoot complex, integrated applications and test setups.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

VxWorks RTOS

Software leadership

System architecture

Documentation

Education

STEM degree + experience

Tools

1553

SpaceWire

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

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's Space Sector is seeking a Payload Flight Software Lead - Level 6 to join our team. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, CA.

As a Payload Flight Software Lead, you will lead the design, architecture, development, integration, test and verification of flight software solutions for embedded and real-time systems. Specifically, you will produce and maintain architectural artifacts (block diagrams, interface control documents, traceability matrices, and trade studies). You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams—including Systems Engineering, Hardware, and Integration & Test. You will analyze system capabilities to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to program intent, output requirements, data acquisition, programming methods, and control strategies. This position will include defining and architecting the system and will require close collaboration with team members of other projects within the organization for security architecture designs, as well as external partners and customers.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to support the architecture, development, and lifecycle management of embedded and real-time systems. The candidate will be expected to understand system requirements, how they apply to system design, and to implement and debug software to meet defined completion criteria. The candidate will have demonstrated ability to define and evolve software architectures and possess strong troubleshooting skills for complex, integrated applications and test‑setup issues.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 14 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in a STEM discipline with 10 years of relevant experience
• Must have an active SCI access at the time of application
• Experience leading a software team
• Expert level proficiency in embedded C/C++ development
• Extensive experience with real-time operating systems like VxWorks
• Full‑cycle software development proficiency from requirements to testing
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle
• Proficiency in bus implementation and communication protocols such as 1553 and SpaceWire

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Cost Account Management (CAM)
• Experience in supporting or leading proposal activities
• Proficiency in writing system requirements and making key tradeoffs in code efficiency, memory, and cost
• Experience working in Agile software development
• Experience with software development leveraging CI/CD pipeline tools such as Jenkins

Primary Level Salary Range: $192,800.00 - $289,200.00

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.