Principal Software Engineer - X-Lab Developer (26-411)

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems-Missile Defense Integration seeks a Principal Software Engineer - X-Lab Developer (26-411) to join our on-site team at Schriever Space Force Base, CO. The role supports C2BMC mission operations, with secret clearance required to start and 10% travel.

The X-Lab develops prototypes for future missile-defense capabilities, focusing on Sensor/Weapon Integration, Algorithm Development, and UI design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field with 5 years of experience; or Master’s with 3 years experience; or 9 years experience in lieu of degree.
• Active Government Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher at application time.
• Active in-scope Secret clearance required to start.
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time.
• Full-cycle software engineering and basic systems engineering understanding.

Responsibilities

• Full-cycle software engineering of new capabilities.
• Basic Systems Engineering understanding to inform software design.
• Deploy, integrate, and troubleshoot across Windows and Unix/Linux.
• Experience with Eclipse IDE, Maven, Git/GitLab, Python, and Ansible for build and config management.
• Create and manage Bash scripts to automate build and testing processes.
• Develop tests with JUnit/Mockito and ensure test coverage.

Skills

Java development

Object-oriented programming

Linux environments

Windows

Python

Bash scripting

JUnit/Mockito

Git/GitLab

Eclipse IDE

Ansible

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree in related field (optional alternative)

Tools

Eclipse IDE

Maven

Git/GitLab

Python

Ansible

JUnit/Mockito

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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-Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for a Principal Software Engineer - X-Lab Developer (26-411) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based at Schriever Space Force Base, CO, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels.

This position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options.

Position Overview

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a key component of the Missile Defense System. It is a vital operational system that enables the U.S. president, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and operational levels to plan ballistic missile defense operations systematically, collectively monitor the battle, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals. C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities that enable an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It serves as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations, both globally and regionally, to improve performance. C2BMC is essential for all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the current and future capabilities of missile defense systems.

The X-Lab develops and integrates prototypes for future missile-defense capabilities, such as Sensor/Weapon Integration, Algorithm Development, and User Interface Design. To strengthen the team, they seek a mid-level Software Engineer with Secret Clearance and proven skills in these key areas.

Basic Qualifications

Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.

• A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 5 years of experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with 3 years of relevant work experience; or 9 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree
• Applicants must have a current, active Government-Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start. The candidate is responsible for maintaining their 8140 certifications throughout the entire contract period
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs
• Full-cycle software engineering of new capabilities
• Basic Systems Engineering understanding to inform software design
• Software development with Java (or another object-oriented language).
• Principles and patterns of Object-Oriented development
• Should be comfortable with rapidly changing requirements, design challenges requiring novel solutions, fast-paced work, and tight deadlines
• Application deployment, integration, and troubleshooting across Windows and Unix/Linux platforms
• Operating systems experience with Windows and Unix/Linux
• Experience with any of the following: Eclipse IDE, Maven, Git/GitLab, Python , and Ansible for build, version control , and configuration management
• Create and manage Bash scripts to automate build and testing processes
• Experience with JUnit, Mockito , and automated test frameworks; ability to produce repeatable test artifacts and maintain test coverage
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of hands‑on Java development in a secure or defense‑related environment
• Strong command of the Java Spring framework ( Spring MVC, Spring Data, Spring Boot )
• Experience working within the Linux environment
• Experience with software testing and analysis too