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Sr Principal Engineer Embedded Software

Northrop Grumman

Sr Principal Engineer Embedded Software

full-timePosted: Aug 26, 2026Updated: Sep 1, 2026United States-Virginia-Sterling

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: NoneTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Space Sector is seeking an Sr Principal Embedded Software Engineer to join our team in Dulles, VA. This role will join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in the Space Systems organization developing space vehicle hardware-in-the-loop simulation platforms for large and small space programs. These high-fidelity test platforms provide a hardware/software facsimile of space vehicle component interfaces to flight processors for flight software and mission development and qualification.The candidate will be part of a small design team supporting a NASA space science mission. This position will sit in Dulles, VA and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance.This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Establish simulation requirements for hardware in the loop platforms.Select off-the-shelf or design interface hardware to simulate space vehicle components (actuators, sensors, and payloads).Develop simulation software models and software interfaces to simulation hardware cards, including digital, analog, serial, and SpaceWire.Define simulation testbed harnessing based on the space vehicle flight harness and simulation requirements.Interface with hardware engineers in the design, build, and test of the simulation platforms.Implement software control of simulation platform test equipment.Develop and execute simulation certification loop back testing.Work with program engineers to integrate components and flight software with the simulation platform.Use common lab equipment (oscilloscopes, break out boxes, multimeters, interface analyzers) for debug and problem resolution.Prepare design documentation, analysis, test results and presentation materials for internal and external customers.Work in an innovative environment across diverse assignments and in collaborative team settings across all levels.Other duties as assignedIf this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.Basic Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with a minimum of 8 years of embedded software experience – OR – Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with 6 years of embedded software experience – OR PhD degree Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with 4 years of embedded software experience.Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information. US Citizenship required.Diverse programming experience: C/C++, Python, Windows/Linux scriptingExcellent communication skills and ability to work in small teamsUnderstanding of waterfall, spiral and/or Agile software development processes and continuous integrationExperience with software revision control tools such as Subversion and GitAbility to clearly document technical and programmatic status to managementPreferred Qualifications: Active/Current TSSystem knowledge in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft Command & Control, Mission Planning, Space Situational Awareness and VisualizationUnderstanding of Jenkins, Jira (Agile, Scrum and Kanban), Bitbucket and related DevSecOps toolsHardware interfacing, integration and test and controls experienceUnderstanding of common embedded system tools, real-time operating systems and avionics integration and test practicesExcellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and managementExperience working closely with and/or leading cross departmental teamsExperience with closed loop simulationsAdvanced proficiency in software development using C/C++, Python, Windows/Linux scriptingExperience developing software in a Linux OS environmentExperience with National Instruments data acquisition cards and National Instruments proprietary softwareExperience with Digital, Analog, RS-422 synchronous serial and UART, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire electrical interfacesCurious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:https://www.northropgrumman.com/spaceWorking at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.Northrop Grumman Total Rewards #SpaceEngJobs#SpaceSoftwareJobs#SpaceGNCJobs#NoVASpacePrimary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.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 our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Locations

  • United States-Virginia-Sterling

Skills Required

  • software revision control tools such as Subversionintermediate
  • closed loop simulationsintermediate
  • software development using C/C++intermediate
  • National Instruments data acquisition cardsintermediate
  • Digitalintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with a minimum of 8 years of embedded software experience – OR – Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with 6 years of embedded software experience – OR PhD degree Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with 4 years of embedded software experience. (experience, 8 years)
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information. US Citizenship required. (experience)
  • Diverse programming experience: C/C++, Python, Windows/Linux scripting (experience)
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work in small teams (experience)
  • Understanding of waterfall, spiral and/or Agile software development processes and continuous integration (experience)
  • Experience with software revision control tools such as Subversion and Git (experience)
  • Ability to clearly document technical and programmatic status to management (experience)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with a minimum of 8 years of embedded software experience – OR – Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with 6 years of embedded software experience – OR PhD degree Electrical/Computer Engineering, or another related STEM discipline with 4 years of embedded software experience. (experience, 8 years)
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information. US Citizenship required. (experience)
  • Diverse programming experience: C/C++, Python, Windows/Linux scripting (experience)
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work in small teams (experience)
  • Understanding of waterfall, spiral and/or Agile software development processes and continuous integration (experience)
  • Experience with software revision control tools such as Subversion and Git (experience)
  • Ability to clearly document technical and programmatic status to management (experience)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Active/Current TS (experience)
  • System knowledge in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft Command & Control, Mission Planning, Space Situational Awareness and Visualization (experience)
  • Understanding of Jenkins, Jira (Agile, Scrum and Kanban), Bitbucket and related DevSecOps tools (experience)
  • Hardware interfacing, integration and test and controls experience (experience)
  • Understanding of common embedded system tools, real-time operating systems and avionics integration and test practices (experience)
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management (experience)
  • Experience working closely with and/or leading cross departmental teams (experience)
  • Experience with closed loop simulations (experience)
  • Advanced proficiency in software development using C/C++, Python, Windows/Linux scripting (experience)
  • Experience developing software in a Linux OS environment (experience)
  • Experience with National Instruments data acquisition cards and National Instruments proprietary software (experience)
  • Experience with Digital, Analog, RS-422 synchronous serial and UART, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire electrical interfaces (experience)
  • Active/Current TS (experience)
  • System knowledge in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft Command & Control, Mission Planning, Space Situational Awareness and Visualization (experience)
  • Understanding of Jenkins, Jira (Agile, Scrum and Kanban), Bitbucket and related DevSecOps tools (experience)
  • Hardware interfacing, integration and test and controls experience (experience)
  • Understanding of common embedded system tools, real-time operating systems and avionics integration and test practices (experience)
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management (experience)
  • Experience working closely with and/or leading cross departmental teams (experience)
  • Experience with closed loop simulations (experience)
  • Advanced proficiency in software development using C/C++, Python, Windows/Linux scripting (experience)
  • Experience developing software in a Linux OS environment (experience)
  • Experience with National Instruments data acquisition cards and National Instruments proprietary software (experience)
  • Experience with Digital, Analog, RS-422 synchronous serial and UART, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire electrical interfaces (experience)
  • Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below: (experience)
  • https://www.northropgrumman.com/space (experience)
  • Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site. (experience)

Responsibilities

  • If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
  • This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

Benefits

  • general: #SpaceEngJobs#SpaceSoftwareJobs

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