2026 Software Engineer Intern - San Diego CA

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: No

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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

An internship at Northrop Grumman is unique. Sure, you’ll learn new skills, explore our enterprise, network with experts, connect with thought leaders, and finish with a resume that opens doors. But you’ll gain something even more valuable: pride in what you’ve done. Join us and launch your career. We’ll support you with training, employee resource groups, and our shared vision of global security.

Northrop Grumman is seeking aspiring Software Engineers for an internship opportunity. This position will be located at our Mission Systems sector in San Diego, CA.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Networked Information Solutions Division.

Roles and Responsibilities

As an intern, you’ll participate in a summer internship program to develop competencies in a variety of software engineering specializations that may include:
•             Embedded Software Engineering
•             Agile Software Development
•             DevOps
•             SW Integration and Test
•             Software Automation
•             Design, develop, document, test and debug software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions.

•             Conduct multidisciplinary research and collaborates with equipment designers and/or systems engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems.

•             Determine computer user needs; analyzes system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques and controls; prepares operating instructions; designs and develops compilers and assemblers, utility programs, and operating systems.
•             Ensure software standards are met.

Basic Qualifications

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be a student who is enrolled full-time and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college/university and will be enrolled full time in Fall 2026
• Be majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related STEM field
• Be available to work full-time (40 hours per week) for at least 10 weeks during summer 2026.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• Previous internship/co-op experience, leadership and teamwork capabilities, interpersonal communication skills, and activities (professional/community/extracurricular)
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations and leading small groups
• Experience with emerging technologies
• Presentation and writing/communication skills
• Experience working in an autonomous work environment on complex projects
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations and leading small groups
• Experience with the following: C, C++, object-oriented programming, Java, Python, real time embedded hardware systems, RF communication systems