Sr. Principal Software Engineer

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance required at start:
Yes. Clearance type: SAP.

Travel:
Yes, 10% of the time.

As a Sr. Principal Embedded Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman, you will design, develop, operate, and maintain software and firmware components for embedded systems. Your work will span the full software development life cycle—requirements, design, coding, testing, integration—while interfacing with customers, suppliers, users, and technical support. You will lead architecture decisions, implement solutions on Linux or VxWorks operating systems, and apply Agile and Waterfall methodologies.

You will also contribute to automation, version‑control best practices, and evolve processes across the organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline with a minimum of 8+ years of experience, or 6+ years with a Master’s degree (or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree).
• Proficiency in Object‑Oriented Programming with C++.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and object‑oriented design.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or Batch.
• Hands‑on experience developing embedded software on Linux or VxWorks.
• Knowledge of software development methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile.
• Familiarity with version‑control systems (Git, Git Lab, Git Hub, Bitbucket, Clear Case) and Agile planning tools (Rally, Jira).
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance plus additional customer‑specified clearance before starting.

• Experience with C++11 and modern C++ features.
• Advanced scripting proficiency in Python, Bash, or Batch.
• Demonstrated experience testing, debugging, and integrating embedded software on target hardware.
• Familiarity with complex system architectures, including parallel processing, multi‑threading, distributed processing, multi‑core, system‑on‑chip, and secure processing.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Leadership and teamwork capabilities, with strong interpersonal communication skills.

This position is full‑time and on‑site in Charlottesville, VA. It is contingent upon funding/contract award, special access program eligibility, and acquisition of the required U.S. Government security clearance prior to start. Salary range: $131,100 – $196,700. Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid holidays, paid time off, overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and potential long‑term incentives for higher levels.

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. U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit