Senior Principal Virtual Simulation Software Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Senior Principal Virtual Simulation Software Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This role is located in Melbourne, FL.

The Virtual Simulation Team’s mission is to provide our warfighter customer with a realistic aircraft simulation and tactical environment to assess operational suitability and develop preliminary concepts of employment. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and modifying software for use in pilot-in-the-loop simulation of combat weapons systems employment.

The simulation software is primarily written in C++ along with some applications in other high level programming languages (Java, Python, etc.). The Virtual Simulation lab supports a relatively small, close-knit team of 14 software developers, 4 lab engineers, and 10-12 other regular users. This highly dynamic work environment requires software engineers with a diverse set of complementing skills, commitment to the small team dynamic, and a strong desire to learn new skills.

Essential Functions:

• Design and implement real-time, pilot-in-the-loop simulation software that enables requirements validation and mission-level evaluation of next-gen tactical aircraft
• Create or adapt simulation frameworks and modules (e.g., airframe, kinematics, sensors, weapons, C2, threat models)
• Partner with domain SMEs to translate aircraft/weapon physics into high-fidelity, real-time models and integrate them into the overall simulation
• Integrate and use advanced GUIs and visualization tools
• Model operational environments and perform trade studies via computer simulation resulting in recommendations for system architectures and configurations
• Support the design and development of visualization models and databases for integration with a high-fidelity simulation environment

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-directed professionals who thrive in collaborative environments.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have a Bachelor of science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline and 8 years of experience OR Master of science degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of experience, OR a Doctorate in a STEM discipline and 4 years of experience.  
• Must have experience with computer/engineering software development using C++ (preferred), C#, Java or other object-oriented computer language
• Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with real-time simulation/software development
• Expertise in aircraft aero-performance, sensors, weapons, and/or communication systems
• Experience with hardware/software integration, especially integration of aircraft hardware into a lab/simulation environment
• Ability to translate physics/mathematics models into real-time simulation algorithms
• Experience performing weapon system level design, integration