Software Test Engineer (Hardware)

0909 SP - Orbital Space Systems; United States; On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Division seeks a Software Test Engineer for hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testing in a 100% onsite role. You will develop and maintain automated test frameworks, harnesses, and data reporting, working with C, Python, and Bash in a Linux environment.

The position emphasizes RF test familiarity, CI/CD integration, and collaboration across hardware, software, and mission-operations teams. Top-Secret SCI with Polygraph is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 2 years of professional experience or Master’s degree.
• Active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application.
• Experience in C, Python, and Bash scripting.
• Experience designing or executing automated software tests (CI, regression suites).
• Familiarity with RF fundamentals and RF test equipment.
• Experience managing VMs for test execution in Linux environments.

Responsibilities

• Write clean C and Python code to drive test hardware and analyze results.
• Build and evolve an automated test framework with CI integration.
• Use Playwright with Python for UI-level test automation.
• Maintain LabVIEW or PyVISA VIs for RF test equipment.
• Create scripts for automated test activities and data reporting.
• Participate in field installation and acceptance tests at customer sites.

Skills

C programming

Python

Bash scripting

CI/CD

Linux

VM provisioning

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master’s degree (optional)

Tools

LabVIEW

PyVISA

Playwright

VMware

KVM

Jenkins

GitLab CI

Azure DevOps

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START

Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE

Top-Secret

TRAVEL

Yes, 10% of the Time

About Northrop Grumman

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.

About the Space Division

Our Space Division builds the ground-software that enables satellite constellations, launch-day operations, and the processing of space-borne data. The software you design and sustain directly supports mission-critical capabilities that protect the nation and advance exploration.

The Software Test Engineer

The role focuses on hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and software-in-the-loop (SITL) testing, enabling continuous verification of mission-critical software through automated test frameworks, system integration and operational validation across the software development lifecycle. This work will primarily be performed in a SCIF environment. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Job responsibilities (not exhaustive)

• Write clean, maintainable C and Python code that drives test hardware, orchestrates test sequences, and analyses results.
• Build and evolve an automated-test framework that can be invoked from CI pipelines and run on demand.
• Use Playwright (or a comparable tool) together with Python for UI-level test automation.
• Maintain existing LabVIEW (or PyVISA) VIs that operate RF generators, spectrum analyzers, thermal chambers, and other test equipment.
• Analyze technical and contractual requirements and synthesize detailed test cases, test plans, and procedures that demonstrate full system compliance.
• Create Bash and Python scripts for automated test activities and data-capture/reporting.
• Participate in local field installation, integration, and test activities at customer locations, including launch-rehearsal and acceptance-test events.
• Create, configure, and manage Linux-based virtual machines (VMware, KVM, etc.) that host test environments; automate provisioning, snapshot management, and teardown for nightly regression runs.
• Work comfortably with Linux (Red Hat Enterprise) and Windows workstations; demonstrate strong command-line, SSH, and file-permission skills.
• Act as a self-starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.
• Support ground-software operations and associated configurations, troubleshooting both software errors and hardware (RF test gear, thermal chambers, power supplies) that affect test execution.
• Support Acceptance Test events, run regression suites, and provide automated-test metrics and reporting.
• Configure test-segment software, resolve and remediate defects, and deliver enhancements per customer change requests or mission needs.
• Provide test-software support during launch and launch-rehearsal events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications – Level 2

• Education & Experience – Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 2 years of professional experience – or Master’s degree . Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Clearance – Active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.
• Demonstrated software-development experience, including C, Python, and Bash scripting.
• Experience designing or executing automated software tests (framework design, CI integration, regression suites).
• Basic understanding of RF fundamentals and hands-on experience with RF test equipment (signal generators, spectrum or network analyzers).
• Comfortable working in Linux environments and managing VMs for test execution.

Basic Qualifications – Level 3

• Education & Experience – Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 5 years of professional experience – or Master’s degree and 3 years – or PhD and 1 year. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Clearance – Active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.
• Proven track record delivering complex automated-test solutions in a regulated or classified environment.
• Advanced proficiency in C, Python, and Bash; ability to write low-level drivers and high-level orchestration scripts.
• Basic understanding of RF fundamentals and hands-on experience with RF test equipment (signal generators, spectrum or network analyzers).
• Expertise in Linux system administration, VM provisioning, and CI/CD pipeline integration (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate across hardware engineering, software development, and mission-operations teams.

Preferred Qualification

Strong preference for Top Secret SCI with Polygraph clearance. Certified LabVIEW Developer or demonstrated ability to replace LabVIEW functionality with PyVISA-based solutions.

Primary Level Salary Range

$91,800.00 - $137,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$114,000.00 - $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.

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.