Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 93,300 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in San Diego, CA seeks a Principal Software Engineer to join the Models & Simulation team on-site. The role involves developing modular simulation software (C++, Python), integrating components, and delivering software releases within an Integrated Product Team.

Full-time on-site work with up to 10% travel; Top Secret clearance is required. Relocation assistance may be available and candidates should expect a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 5+ years of related engineering experience, or higher degree.
• Proven experience in C/C++ and Python software development.
• Experience with software change control tools such as GitHub, GitLab, or Atlassian suite.
• Proficiency across the full SDLC and code quality tools.
• Active Top Secret clearance or eligibility and SAP access capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and maintain modular simulation and modeling software (C++, Python).
• Integrate simulation components with interfaces, middleware, and test harnesses.
• Design and execute verification and validation tests; analyze results and fix defects.
• Optimize performance, reduce latency, and support CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and stakeholders; create technical documentation.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Software development life cycle

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

GitHub

GitLab

Atlassian tool suite

Coverity

SonarQube

Fortify

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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal Software Engineer to join our team on site in San Diego, CA, or Oklahoma City, OK. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct. This position will be part of the Models & Simulation team, participate in planning, integration, and delivery of software releases, and troubleshooting technical issues.

Roles And Responsibilities Will Include

• Develop, implement, and maintain modular simulation and modeling software (e.g., C++, Python) to support system behaviors and scenarios.
• Integrate simulation components with system interfaces, middle-ware, and test harnesses; ensure interoperable data flows and real-time performance.
• Design and execute verification and validation tests, analyze results, identify defects, and implement fixes to ensure model fidelity and accuracy.
• Optimize simulation performance and scalability; profile code, reduce latency, and support CI/CD pipelines for automated builds and deployments.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, testers, and stakeholders to translate requirements into simulation scenarios, produce technical documentation, and support demonstrations.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience developing software and scripts in C/C++ AND Python
• Demonstrated professional experience with software change control, and change management such as: Atlassian tool suite, GitHub, AND/OR GitLab
• Demonstrated Professional Experience with the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Demonstrated professional experience with static code analysis tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, AND/OR Fortify
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Differentiating characteristics include demonstrated leadership, teamwork capabilities, excellent oral and written communications skills, and strong interpersonal communication skills at all levels of employees and management.
• Demonstrated professional experience developing software Java
• Experience with software network interfaces -and troubleshooting networks (TCP/IP, UDP, LAN, VLAN, SNMP or others).
• Experience in safety‑critical embedded real‑time software on RTOS platforms

Primary Level Salary Range: $93,300.00 - $171,000.00

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.