Principal / Sr. Principal AI Software Engineer

0909 SP - Orbital Space Systems; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays

Paid time off

Overtime

Shift differential

Discretionary bonus

Long Term Incentives

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking AI/ML engineers to develop RL/SL algorithms for spacecraft autonomy. You will prototype in Python/JAX/PyTorch, port to embedded C++/CUDA, and apply ML methods to high-fidelity astrodynamics and mission planning tasks.

The role emphasizes rigorous verification, flight readiness, and collaboration across locations, with a 9/80 schedule and mandatory TS clearance for this government-connected program.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in space, national security, and related mission areas.
• Active security clearance requirement at some level (Top Secret) and ability to obtain SCI/SAP access.

Responsibilities

• Perform Novel Algorithm R&D and design state-of-the-art RL/SL algorithms from literature.
• Prototype in Python/JAX/PyTorch, port to embedded C++/CUDA.
• Develop physics-based autonomy for mission planning and decision-making.
• Apply ML techniques to high-fidelity astrodynamics planning and controls problems.
• Fuse learned policies with classical GNC filters for robust guidance and control.
• Build models to re-optimize delta-V, power, and comm timelines using differentiable optimization.
• Develop AI solutions for real-time anomaly detection in spacecraft operations.
• Lead verification, flight readiness, and test campaigns.

Skills

Teamwork

Agile mindset

Problem solving

On-site work

Python

C/C++

CUDA

Machine learning

RL/SL algorithms

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in CS or related field

Tools

Python

CUDA

C/C++

JAX/PyTorch

Embedded software

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

• Relocation assistance may be available


• Clearance required for start: Yes


• Clearance type: Top Secret


• Travel: Yes, 10% of the time

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. This position is contingent upon contract award and the candidate verifying and/or obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams.

WORK LOCATIONS

This role will be based at our Dulles, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, or El Segundo, CA locations.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform Novel Algorithm R&D Design and implement state-of-the-art RL / SL algorithms drawn from the latest literature


• Rapidly prototype in Python/JAX/PyTorch, then port to embedded C++/CUDA


• Develop Physics-Based Autonomy to perform Mission Planning & Decision-Making


• Apply supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and other AI/ML techniques to high-fidelity astrodynamics planning and controls problems, including real-time constraint handling


• Fuse learned policies with classical GNC filters for robust guidance, navigation, and closed-loop control


• Build models that re-optimize delta-V, power, and comm- (among other) constrained timelines using neural search or differentiable optimization


• Develop AI solutions for real-time anomaly detection and response to ensuring robust and adaptive spacecraft operations. This includes developing models that detect out-of-family telemetry and select corrective actions via hierarchical or policy-gradient RL


• Lead Verification & Flight Readiness


• Lead Monte-Carlo, Processor-in-the-Loop, Hardware-in-the-Loop, and digital twin campaigns to prove safety and performance via internal standards


• Participate in the full life cycle of software development, including requirements development, modeling and design, application development, unit to CSCI testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and maintenance

In this role, you will be developing systems for a variety of spacecraft using current technologies and others yet to come!

QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking team members who have a thirst for knowledge, approach each day with optimism, and have a relentless drive to solve complex problems. Creativity and innovation are imperative for this role, because at Northrop Grumman, many of the problems we work on are impossible... until they're not.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong interest in space, national security, and related mission areas


• Be an active and integral member of your team


• Channel your enthusiasm to innovate


• Be part of a supportive team that develops and deploys technologies that matter to our national security


• Work with agility, flexibility, and collaboration to explore creative ideas


• This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.


• This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.


• Must have and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Top-Secret (TS) security clearance at the time of application and the ability to obtain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)/Special Access Program (SAP) approval/access within a reasonable period of time. US citizenship is required.


• Level 3 (Principal level): Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant AI engineering experience; May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree; Master’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant AI engineering experience; PhD with a minimum of 1 year of relevant AI engineering experience.


• Level 4 (Sr Principal level): Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant AI engineering experience; May consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a completed degree; Master’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant AI engineering experience; PhD with a minimum of 4 years of relevant AI engineering experience.


• Industry knowledge and/or foundational education of AI, with a focus on ML, RL, or SL model development


• Experience with machine learning usage in a product line environment


• Experience with hands‑on coding of learning algorithms from primary literature—comfortable translating equations to optimized code


• Experience with physics-based AI application (e.g. for spacecraft, robotics, autonomous aircraft, drones, rockets, or similar) in academia or industry


• Experience in developing scalable RL/SL and other ML pipelines, with a track record of designing novel algorithms tailored to complex, real-world dynamics


• Experience/proficiency in software engineering best practices and standards


• Experience in simulation development for space vehicle applications


• Experience in Embedded Software, Space Flight Software, or Simulation Software


• Experience with Python, CUDA, C/C++ programming


• Preferred Qualifications: Current/Active TS/SCI MS or PhD in Computer Science or Reinforcement Learning, or STEM degree field with strong physics-based numerical modeling and AI/ML experience


• Diverse programming proficiency: C/C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Windows/Linux scripting


• Demonstrated systems engineering excellence in requirements analysis, modeling and simulation, verification and validation at subsystem and system level or Demonstrated vehicle development, mission systems integration, ground and flight test validation experience


• Experience in successfully developing and integrating software and hardware solutions for space applications


• Experience in system and subsystem specification development including verification methodologies


• Experience implementing action plans based on metrics and/or root cause/corrective actions


• Hands‑on technical experience with spacecraft or satellite related systems


• Proven experience working with technically diverse teams across multiple locations


• Experience with Space Flight Software, Simulation Software

SALARY RANGES

• Primary Level Salary Range: $137,800.00 - $206,800.00


• Secondary Level Salary Range: $172,100.00 - $258,100.00


• 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.

BENEFITS

• Health insurance coverage


• Life and disability insurance


• Savings plan


• Company paid holidays


• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business


• Overtime


• Shift differential


• Discretionary bonus


• Long Term Incentives (for VP or Director positions)

APPLICATION PERIOD

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

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.

CONTACT & OTHER NOTES

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Existing Applicants: Need to update your contact information or email address? Once logged in, click on Candidate Home in the upper right corner and scroll to the bottom of that screen to see buttons for: Update Contact information to update your legal name, address, and phone number, Edit Account Settings to edit your email address.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.