Space Principal/Sr. Principal Software Engineer

$107,300 - $160,900/Yr

Northrop Grumman - Fairfax, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Fairfax, VA

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Principal/Sr. Principal Software Engineer position at Northrop Grumman involves working on innovative space-based optical communications systems. The role focuses on developing software that analyzes large datasets to predict atmospheric impacts on missions, requiring strong analytical and programming skills. The candidate will collaborate with a team of atmospheric scientists and systems engineers to design, develop, and maintain software solutions that meet user needs and align with strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, documents, tests and debugs software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions.
• Collaborates with systems engineers and/or hardware engineers in planning, design, and development.
• Determines mission and user needs.
• Analyzes system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques and controls.
• Regularly tests and revises software to ensure software alignment with strategic goals and customer expectations.
• Analyze user requirements to derive software design and performance requirements.
• Design and code new software or modify existing software to add new features, debug existing software and correct defects.
• Implement prototype software to produce an efficient and sustainable solution.
• Develop software solutions by analyzing system performance standards, and through discussions with users or system engineers.
• Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design.
• Assist with developing and executing test procedures for software components.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with 5 years relevant experience; A Master's Degree with 3 years of related experience; a PhD; or 9 years of experience in lieu of degree for Principal (Lvl 3).
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with 8 years relevant experience; A Master's Degree with 6 years of related experience; a PhD with 3 years of related experience; or 12 years of experience in lieu of degree for Sr. Principal (Lvl 4).
• Demonstrated proficiency with Linux.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Python.
• Experience with version control practices.
• Active Secret Security Clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with developing or using containerized software.
• Experience with cloud computing to scale solutions.
• Experience with productizing software solutions.
• Active TS Security Clearance.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business