Principal Embedded Software Engineer: RTOS, DevOps

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; Full time

Job description

At Northrop Grumman, we partner with a multinational team to design and deliver advanced mission‑enabling solutions for global security. Your role as a Principal or Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer will contribute to our enterprise‑wide digital transformation through model‑based engineering, DevSecOps, and Agile practices.

Relocation Assistance: May be available.

Clearance Requirement: Secret clearance required.

Travel: Yes, approximately 10% of the time.

Location: Charlottesville, VA (on‑site).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, operate, and maintain software and firmware components and computing systems for engineering, scientific, and manufacturing requirements.
• Apply appropriate standards, processes, procedures, and tools across the system development life cycle to support engineering applications and products.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, application users, and other technical and support personnel.
• Participate fully in all phases of the software development life cycle: requirements, design, coding, testing, and integration.
• Develop for embedded Linux or VxWorks real‑time operating systems and maintain CI/CD pipelines using DevOps practices.
• Collaborate in a team‑oriented, transparent environment that promotes empowerment, shared responsibility, and continuous learning.

Basic Qualifications – Principal Embedded Software Engineer

• Minimum 5+ years of relevant engineering experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related STEM field; or 3+ years with a Master’s degree; or 1+ year with a PhD.
• Proficient in Object‑Oriented Programming in C/C++; familiarity with Java a plus.
• Experience with scripting languages (Python, Bash, Batch, etc.).
• Experience developing embedded software running Linux or VxWorks real‑time operating systems.
• Knowledge of software architecture, design patterns, and object‑oriented design.
• Experience with CI/CD pipeline development (DevOps).
• Familiarity with software development methodologies (Waterfall and/or Agile) and tools such as Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, Rally, Jira, and modeling tools (CAMEO, Rational).
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• Occasional travel to support program and customer needs.

Basic Qualifications – Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

• Minimum 8+ years of engineering experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related STEM field; or 6+ years with a Master’s degree; or 4+ years with a PhD.
• All technical competencies listed for the Principal level.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• Occasional travel to support program and customer needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Waterfall and/or Agile methodologies.
• Leadership and teamwork experience.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Experience testing, debugging, and integrating embedded software on target hardware.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.

Salary Range

Principal Level: $98,400.00 – $147,600.00
Senior Principal Level: $122,800.00 – $184,200.00

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make employment 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. U.S. citizenship is required for this position due to the government clearance requirement.