Software Developer – Mission Planning Team

Northrop Grumman • McLean, VA

9d • $114,000 - $213,400 • Onsite

About The Position

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. Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Software Developer – Mission Planning Team – Level 3 or 4 located in McLean, VA, 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. This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

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).
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.
• 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.
• Strong preference given to Top Secret with SCI.

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