Flight Software Engineering Lead - Level 5 at Northrop Grumman Manhattan , CA

Overview

Flight Software Engineering Lead – Level 5 at Northrop Grumman. Manhattan Beach, CA. Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance type:
Secret. Traveling required – 10% of the time.

As a Flight Software Engineering Lead, you will be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. The role requires driving program execution toward software delivery schedule and expert knowledge in software development best practices, particularly configuration management and unit testing.

The position is contingent upon capturing program award, obtaining customer funding, and holding final clearances prior to the start date. This role works a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.

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

• Direct a team of engineers and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Effectively drive program execution toward software delivery schedule.
• Leverage software development best practices to right‑size the effort (e.g., configuration management, unit testing).
• Guide process improvement, especially in configuration management, code quality practices, tasking assignments, and documentation of the technical baseline and architecture.
• Requirements decomposition/generation.
• Report status and metrics to program leadership.
• Design, develop, document, test, and debug application software and systems with logical and mathematical solutions.
• Conduct multidisciplinary research and collaborate with equipment designers and hardware engineers during planning and development of electronic data processing systems.
• Determine overall system and user needs; analyze system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques, and controls; prepare operating instructions; design and develop utility programs.
• Ensure software standards are met.
• Design and execute tests to ensure software functionality, performance, and reliability.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related STEM degree with 12+ years of software development experience OR Master’s Degree with 10+ years of experience OR Ph.D. with 8+ years of experience.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming in an RTOS environment (e.g., VxWorks, FreeRTOS, RT‑Linux, GH Integrity).
• Experience with VxWorks 6.9 and/or 7.0.
• Prior leadership experience directing a software engineering team, effectively driving program execution toward delivery.
• Active DoD Secret clearance at the time of application and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.

• Experience with MIL‑STD‑1553B, Space Wire, and CAN bus implementations and structured protocols.
• Experience in Agile processes and Atlassian Tool Suite (Jira, Bit Bucket, etc.).
• Experience using SIMICS, Vector Cast, Google Test.
• Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range: $ – $. Compensation may include overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and, for executive levels, long‑term incentives. Northrop Grumman offers health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation and personal business.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

For a full EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit our site. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.