Sr Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer – Test Lead/PO (26-460)

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 118,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Training and Development

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems–Missile Defense Integration seeks a Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer – Test Lead/PO to join our Colorado Springs team. This on-site role involves coordinating test activities with key stakeholders and driving verification of complex, integrated systems.

The position emphasizes leadership in lab testing, test planning, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure quality and compliance with the QMP, with travel up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 8 years of experience, or a Master +6 years; 12 years experience alternative.
• Active Top Secret clearance required to start; SCI access as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead test and analysis for C2BMC‑Global test and verification.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate lab test activities including regression testing.
• Provide technical leadership to resolve complex test issues (hardware, software, cyber/IA).
• Coordinate with Systems, Software, Deployment leads and Product Owners to align test scope and milestones.

Skills

Test leadership

Test planning

Lab testing

Cross-functional coordination

Technical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering / Electrical Engineering

Tools

DOORS

JIRA

Confluence

TM4J

Gherkin/Cucumber

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 an Internal Only: Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer – Test Lead/PO (26-460) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based in Colorado Springs, 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.

NOTE: This position is only available to current and active C2BMC personnel. 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 Sr Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer – Test Lead / Product Owner will serve as the primary technical lead for C2BMC‑Global (C2BMC‑G) test and analysis, providing daily technical and programmatic interaction with civilian, military, and contract leadership and technical personnel at MDA facilities (MDIOC and VB3) and LM offices in Colorado Springs, CO (Voyager and Federal Dr.) and Huntsville, AL. This role supports Agile Product Teams and the Integration & Test (I&T) functional area to conduct hardware, software, and system‑level verification and validation testing of the C2BMC‑Global system.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for C2BMC‑G test and analysis topics for the C2BMC National Team, interacting with Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and MDIOC technical support personnel and other government contractor organizations.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate lab test and installation activities, including release installation, integration, and regression testing in C2BMC‑G test labs.
• Act as a key stakeholder in test lab build‑out design, participating in design meetings and reviews to ensure test requirements and infrastructure needs are met.
• Coordinate closely with technical leads (Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Deployment) and Cross Functional Product Team (CFPT) Product Owners to: Forecast test needs and resource requirements; Identify test impacts and dependencies; Resolve technical issues affecting test execution; Identify inefficiencies and implement process and tooling improvements; Manage and brief test status, risks, and metrics to leadership.
• Chair or serve as the C2BMC National Team lead participant for MDA Capability Release (CR) and Battlefield Coordination Detachment (BCD) test assessment and verification activities.
• Provide technical leadership in the resolution of complex test issues, including hardware, software, integration, and cybersecurity/IA findings, working hands‑on with lab configurations as required.
• Execute test tasks in accordance with program processes, quality management practices, and the C2BMC Quality Management Plan (QMP), including test plan development, procedure execution, and results documentation.
• Identify and communicate cost and technical risks to the CAM, Task Order PM, Product Owner, and Functional Area Manager (FAM), and develop and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Support the FAM in resource planning, including staffing, skill mix, and schedule alignment to task order baselines.
• Provide test and technical support to JERB, JCCB, ROMB, and other configuration and review boards, as appropriate.
• Support Task Order reviews, customer reviews, and test readiness reviews, including preparation and delivery of technical briefings and status reports.
• Support metrics collection and analysis for test performance, defect trends, and lab utilization in accordance with the QMP.

Additional assignments may include:

• Training for security functions and local operating procedures
• Participation in resident U.S. Space Force, Air Force, and MDA training relevant to MDIOC operations
• Other duties as assigned that are typical of contractor personnel on a military installation (e.g., exercise support, inspections, and base access requirements)

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, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 8 years of experience; or a Master’s degree in a related field with 6 years of relevant work experience; or 12 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree.
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start with the eligibility to be read on to SCI Travel as required (approximately 10%) in support of program reviews, test events, and coordination meetings at other customer or contractor locations.

Technical Background:

• Demonstrated experience with the technical aspects of complex, highly integrated, networked computer systems, preferably in a DoD or MDA environment
• Familiarity with DoD/MDA testbed baseline concepts for testing hardware, software, and cyber/IA applications
• Experience supporting the integration and testing of Command & Control systems (e.g., BMDS, space, or related C2 systems), including external interfaces and/or space sensor interfaces

Test Engineering Experience:

• Hands‑on experience with hardware, software, and system‑level verification and validation including requirements decomposition, test planning, procedure development, test execution, defect tracking, and test reporting
• Experience with regression testing, test data analysis, and troubleshooting complex issues in lab or operationally representative environments

Infrastructure / Network Skills:

• Working knowledge of computer network systems and architectures, including servers, virtual machines (VMs), multicast techniques, and common network devices (e.g., firewalls, routers, switches, blade servers)

Soft Skills / Collaboration:

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional technical efforts, coordinate with multiple stakeholder organizations, and communicate complex technical issues clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Agile environments, including Agile test‑driven development practices and working directly with Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and cross‑functional product teams
• Experience with one or more of the following tools and environments: DOORS or similar requirements management tools, JIRA, Confluence, and Test Management for JIRA (TM4J) or similar test management solutions, and Test automation tools and frameworks such as Gherkin, Cucumber, or equivalent BDD/ATDD tools
• Familiarity with common message formats and data standards, such as: TADIL‑J, Link‑16, or other tactical data links, and HTML, XML, COI, ATOMS, or similar formats used in C2BMC or BMDS environments
• Experience working with Windows and Linux operating systems, including daily use of MS Office and common scripting or diagnostic tools in test environments
• Previous experience on the C2BMC program, BMDS, or other Missile Defense Agency programs, especially in integration & test or lab operations
• Active or previous SCI access

What We Can Offer You:

• Health Plan
• Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Education Assistance
• Training and Development
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Primary Level Salary Range:

Primary Level Salary Range: $117,500.00 - $176,300.00 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.

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

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.

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.