Staff Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman

. Develop and maintain new and existing software applications .

Posted 10/15/2026full-timeSan Diego • California • United StatesLead💰 $177,000 - $265,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in software development, integration, and testing within the full software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), utilizing modern programming languages and Agile methodologies. Capable of collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams and maintaining necessary security clearances for government-related projects.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)C, C++, Java, Python ProgrammingAgile Software DevelopmentJira, GitLab, DockerTop Secret Clearance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software DevelopmentSoftware IntegrationObject-Oriented ProgrammingEmbedded System ProgrammingMulti-Threaded Software DevelopmentSoftware TestingModeling or Diagramming ToolsReal Time Embedded LinuxVxWorksIntegrity

Tools & Technologies

JiraGitLabDockerFortifyCoverityBlack Duck

Industry Keywords

STEM DegreeU.S. CitizenshipTop Secret ClearanceSpecial Access Program (SAP)Continuous Evaluation

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

DockerJavaLinuxPythonSDLCC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and maintain new and existing software applications
Leverage modern technologies and practices to rapidly develop, integrate, test, and deploy new software capabilities
Collaborate with a cross-functional team to diagnose and address software and system problems throughout the system lifecycle
Work within an Integrated Product Team construct
Work full-time, on-site at the facility in San Diego, CA or El Segundo, CA
Travel up to 25% may be required

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 10 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience
Experience with the full software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Experience with some of the following programming and scripting languages: C, C++, Java, and Python
Experience with Agile software development, object-oriented programming, embedded system programming, software integration and testing
Experience with Jira, GitLab, Docker, Fortify, Coverity, Black Duck, or similar DevOps tools
Ability to obtain and maintain an adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance
Clearance must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR) prior to commencement of employment
Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment
U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance
Preferred: Experience developing multi-threaded software for flight critical, safety, medical, or mission critical real-time applications
Preferred: Ability to identify moderate execution defects by reading code
Preferred: Understanding of embedded software within larger software systems
Preferred: Ability to document and present software architectural components using modeling or diagramming tools
Preferred: Experience with VxWorks, Integrity, and/or Real Time Embedded Linux
Preferred: Experience with Docker Containers and RHEL 8.10 or later
Preferred: Active in-Scope U.S. Government Top Secret clearance
Preferred: Current applicable SAP access

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance may be available
Overtime may be available
Shift differential may be available
Discretionary bonus may be available
Health insurance coverage
Life and disability insurance
Savings plan
Company paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business