Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking Sr Principal Software Systems Engineer. This position will be located in Roy, Utah and will support the Sentinel Program.
Command Systems Special Projects. Through close partnership with our business and operating units, we collaboratively transform uncertain, urgent, and cross-cutting challenges into actionable, scalable solutions. By working collaboratively, we provide objective insight, align strategic direction, and accelerate the delivery of mission-critical capabilities while upholding the highest standards of quality and return on investment.
The Command Systems (CS) Software Engineer reports to the CS Execution Lead within the CS Business Unit (BU) under the CS Special Projects Organization. This role requires a strong software engineering foundation and the ability to apply disciplined engineering practices to complex, ambiguous problems. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player who can translate technical concepts into clear written narratives, compelling charts, and executive-ready presentations, and who enjoys working across organizations to develop the best possible solutions for our customers and stakeholders.
You will work on high-visibility, mission-critical challenges that directly influence how our business responds to urgent and emerging needs. Your analyses, architectures, and charts will routinely inform senior leadership decisions and shape the strategic direction of Command Systems Special Projects.
Why you’ll love this role:
- High impact: Your work will directly inform senior leadership decisions and shape mission-critical command system capabilities.
- Ownership: You’ll have real technical authority to define architectures, drive trades, and recommend the best solutions.
- Collaboration: You’ll work with a small, trusted team that values humility, clear communication, and shared success.
- Variety: You’ll tackle diverse, urgent, and cross-cutting challenges—ideal for someone who wants to keep learning and avoid doing the same thing every day.
- Influence through communication: Your ability to write clearly and build effective charts will be a core strength that the organization depends on and recognizes.
In this role, you will:
- Lead end-to-end software and systems engineering activities, from concept development and requirements definition through design, implementation, integration, and verification for command-and-control and related mission applications.
- Apply solid software engineering principles (e.g., architecture, design patterns, configuration management, testing, and quality assurance) to develop robust, scalable, and maintainable solutions to urgent and cross-cutting challenges.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (systems, software, test, operations, program management, and business stakeholders) to understand needs, evaluate alternatives, and converge on the best technical solutions.
- Develop high-quality written products—including technical reports, trade studies, design descriptions, and decision memos—that clearly communicate options, rationale, risks, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Create clear, concise, and visually effective charts and data visualizations for internal design reviews, customer briefings, and senior leadership decision forums.
- Serve as a technical leader and mentor, providing guidance on engineering best practices, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, and helping to shape technical strategy and roadmaps.
Position Benefits
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts
This positions standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.
Basic Qualifications
8 Years with Bachelors in Science; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of degree
Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance with an investigation date within the last 6 years.
Sentinel Program Access on Day 1
Strong foundation in software engineering, including experience with software architecture and design, implementation (e.g., in languages such as C/C++, Java, or Python), integration, and test in a complex systems environment.
Experience with digital engineering or model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and practices (e.g., Cameo, Rhapsody) and requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS) to maintain traceability and support technical decision-making.
Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams, building strong relationships and driving collaboration across organizations and stakeholders.
Experience developing and presenting high-quality charts and technical briefings (e.g., in PowerPoint or similar tools) that distill complex information into concise, visually compelling narratives to support technical and programmatic decision-making.
Current understanding of software engineering best practices.
Experience in software engineering, system design, software requirements, and test.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university.
Experience serving as a technical lead, integrated product team (IPT) lead, or CAM for a major subsystem or capability, including planning, execution, and status reporting to leadership and/or the customer.
Experience with command-and-control, mission management, battle management, or related command systems, including integration with sensors, weapons, or communication networks.
Background in model-based engineering, system architectures, or digital engineering (e.g., SysML/UML, architecture frameworks, or similar) applied to complex software-intensive systems.
Demonstrated experience leading technical trade studies, alternatives analyses, or rapid prototyping efforts that balance mission effectiveness, schedule, risk, and cost/return on investment.
Experience with USAF Nuclear Surety (AFMAN91-119) and/or Cyber Certification
#Sentinelsoftware
Primary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The 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