Senior Payload Flight Software Lead - Embedded RTOS

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Long-term incentives

Health insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman's Space Sector is seeking a Payload Flight Software Lead - Level 5 to join our team in Redondo Beach, CA. This role leads architecture, development, integration, and verification of embedded flight software for real-time systems.

The ideal candidate will guide cross-disciplinary teams, ensure traceability, and deliver robust software designs while coordinating with security architectures and external partners. Active SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• BS in STEM with 12+ years of relevant experience; MS with 10+ years; or PhD with 8 years.
• Active SCI clearance required at 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 bus implementation and communication protocols such as 1553 and SpaceWire.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, architecture, development, integration, test and verification of flight software for embedded and real-time systems.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Hardware, and Integration & Test teams.
• Define and architect the system; work with internal and external partners on security architectures.

Skills

Embedded C/C++ development

Real-time OS (VxWorks)

Software team leadership

Full-cycle software development

Architecture and design

Bus interfaces (1553/SpaceWire)

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Job description

Northrop Grumman's Space Sector is seeking a Payload Flight Software Lead - Level 5 to join our team in Redondo Beach, CA. This role leads architecture, development, integration, and verification of embedded flight software for real-time systems.

The ideal candidate will guide cross-disciplinary teams, ensure traceability, and deliver robust software designs while coordinating with security architectures and external partners. Active SCI clearance is required.