Autonomy Software Integration and Test Lead
Northrop GrummanAbout the role
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’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Software Engineer position to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals onsite in El Segundo, CA. This position will be a part of the Advanced Autonomy Team as Software Integration and Test Lead, performing an important role in the AS sector's autonomy efforts!
Accomplish
This individual will be responsible for but not limited to:
Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines that automate builds, deployments, and regression testing.
Develop integration test plans that verify interoperability, data flow, and real-time command execution.
Configure and manage the demonstration environments, including GFx and government deployments, simulation stand-up, and software licensing.
Provide on-site support during deployment demonstration to achieve target “setup time” and “time-to-command” metrics.
Succeed
The individual we seek will be self-motivated, proactive, goal-oriented, and will possess the following qualifications.
Basic Qualifications:
Must have Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 8 years of applicable experience, OR 6 years with Master’s Degree OR 4 years with a PhD.
Experience with Python, C++, and Linux based development environments
Experience in software integration, test engineering, or DevOps for mission-critical systems.
Proficiency with automation tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Ansible), containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and automated test frameworks.
Ability to troubleshoot complex integration issues under time-critical demo conditions.
Experience with Agile best practices and processes.
Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top Secret clearance, and any program access (es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience integrating COTS applications into secure, hardened environments and handling CUI data.
Existing Department of Defense Secret level security clearance or higher
Proven experience in Mission Autonomy
Understanding of contested environment operations, EW/EMCON constraints
Thrive with Us
At Northrop Grumman we are invested in the growth and well-being off all our employees. We offer flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment.
Our Total Rewards Program offers a comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan, group medical, dental and
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