Software Developer (Level 3 or 4) U

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 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.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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.

• Tech stack – Primary language Python (with C++ and occasional Java), PostgreSQL, Qpid message broker (AMQP) – exploring gRPC (both use Protocol Buffers).

• GUIs built in Qt (transitioning to web‑based GUIs using Elixir).

• Containerization with Docker for local development and Kubernetes for production orchestration.

• Operating systems: Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Windows workstations.

• 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

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.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

• 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.   

• 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.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• 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.   

• 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.

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• 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.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

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