Software Developer (Level 3 or 4) U

Northrop Grumman • McLean, VA

13d • $11,400 - $213,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Software Developer you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. In these roles, the focus will be on development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM field with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience (for Level 3).
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience (for Level 4).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret clearance.
• Demonstrated software development experience.
• Python application development, C++, Bash scripting experience.
• Design and implement mission‑planning tools (trajectory generation, timeline creation, resource allocation).
• Build graphical user interfaces and APIs that enable operators to create, edit, and validate mission plans.
• Integrate real‑time data feeds (ephemeris, weather, space‑environment models) via the Qpid message bus.
• Automate plan validation and collision‑avoidance checks using Python‑based rule engines.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of orbital mechanics basics (or willingness to learn)
• Experience with GUI frameworks (e.g., Flask/Django, Plotly/D3)
• Familiarity with real‑time data streaming (Kafka, RabbitMQ)
• Understanding of mission‑timeline concepts.

Responsibilities

• Full‑stack development at the OS, platform, and mission‑unique software layer.
• Develop client and server applications and services using service‑oriented or object‑oriented architectures, micro‑services, and message‑bus‑based data exchange that include first‑of‑a‑kind capabilities.
• Act as a self‑starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.
• Support ground‑software operations and associated configurations, including troubleshooting software errors and hardware affecting ground software.
• Support Acceptance Test events, run tests, and provide test automation.
• Configure ground‑segment software, resolve and remediate software defects, and deliver enhancements per customer change requests or mission needs.
• Provide ground‑software support during launch and launch‑rehearsal events.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Relocation assistance may be available
• health insurance coverage
• life and disability insurance
• savings plan
• Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• overtime
• shift differential
• discretionary bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level