Software Engineering Lead - Level 3 or 4

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

On-site in Boulder

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU) is seeking a Software Engineer Lead – Level 3 or 4 to guide a small team on cutting-edge missile tracking software in Boulder, CO. This on-site role requires a current Secret clearance and strong C++/Linux expertise.

You will drive architecture, CI/CD, and hands-on development while mentoring 2–4 engineers and coordinating with the Chief Architect and program managers. Boulder offers mountain access and a close-knit engineering culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM and 5+ years of related work, or Master’s with fewer years.
• Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance; ability to obtain Top Secret.
• Proficiency in modern C++ development and Linux environments.
• Experience with CI/CD tooling and cloud technologies.
• Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 2–4 person software team on missile tracking/interception projects.
• Design, develop, test, deploy, and debug software applications.
• Collaborate with Chief Architect and program leads to set technical vision.
• Provide tasking, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.

Skills

Leadership

CI/CD

Mentorship

System design

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree optional

Tools

C++

Linux

Kubernetes

Docker

Jenkins

GitLab

Nexus

Conan / CMake

Prometheus / Grafana

OpenTelemetry

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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, Multi-Domain Operations, and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit (BU), Advanced Programs group has an exciting career opportunity for a Software Engineer Lead – Level 3 or 4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. We are seeking an experienced Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4 to lead a team of 2-4 people. We are a smaller team of ~15 people working on cutting edge missile tracking and interception capabilities - Join our software team and come make history with us! The position is located on-site in Boulder, CO. Boulder is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and only 25 miles from downtown Denver.

Position Overview:

The selected Software Engineer will join the Advanced Programs team as a software engineering leader with hands on modern C++ development, leadership, CI/CD dev and maintenance, software architecture and detailed design experience.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the design, development, documentation, testing, deployment, and debugging of software applications

• Researching, identifying, and implementing solutions to complex, multi-disciplinary software problems

• Will collaborate with Chief Architect, Program Management and Team Lead peers to set technical vision for the software team

• Provide tasking and mentorship to 2-4 Software team members

Seeking candidates who find satisfaction in working on challenging and diverse assignments in collaborative settings across all levels.

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Software Engineer – Level 3 or a Sr. Principal Software Engineer – Level 4.

Basic Qualifications:

• Principal Software Engineer – Leve 3: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred from an accredited university and 5 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree and 3 years of related work experience, or 1 year of related work experience with a PhD.

• Sr. Principal Software Engineer – Level 4: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred from an accredited university and 8 years of related work experience, or a Master's Degree and 6 years of related work experience, or 4 years of related work experience with a PhD.

• Applicants must have a current active in-scope U.S. Government issued Secret security clearance at the time of application and is required to start; with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

• C++ Development Experience

• Cloud Computing Technology Proficiency

• High level of confidence with at least three of the following technologies: Jenkins, GitLab, Kubernetes, Nexus, Artifactory, Containers, Podman, Docker, Prometheus, Grafana, and Opentelementry)

• Linux Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• C++ Compiling and Package Management System Proficiency (i.e. Conan, Cmake, GCC)

• Python Development Proficiency

• Python Package Management Proficiency (i.e. pip, setup tools)

• Experience developing and troubleshooting software in a team environment

• Experience with Software Cyber Compliance

• Understands CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) and ATO (authority to operate)

• Willingness to quickly adapt to new technologies and challenges

• Embraces 'full stack' engineering

• OO design pattern and modern data structure experience

#COSpace

#SpaceSoftwareJobs

#SpaceEngJobs

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.

Job Category: Engineering