Principal Engineer Software (SW & HW integration and Test)

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Melbourne
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description At 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 Aeronautics Systems Sector has an opening for a Principal Engineer Software (SW & HW integration and Test) to join Global Surveillance Division supporting the team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Melbourne, Florida . Responsibilities will include deploying, automating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving the systems and software infrastructure running smoothly. This role requires you to have hands-on technical experience and a can-do approach towards environmental automation and management along with continuous improvements. You will be a team member working in agile development process. You will be responsible for the design and implementation of application builds, releases, deployment along with configuration activities. Your responsibilities will include working with internal business partners to gather requirements, prototyping, and architecting complex solutions supporting the building and test plan execution, performing quality reviews, and triaging and fixing operational issues. The candidate will assist with the integration, troubleshooting and testing of implemented software changes. The ideal candidate will have the ability to take ownership of ambiguous hard problems and drive them to a solution, while working in a team environment. It is critical that you understand the software development life cycle and have an in-depth knowledge of automated testing to facilitate and analyze large data sets. The Software Engineer will develop, modify, and maintain customized or standardized applications using software engineering best practices and standards, and participate in the full life cycle of software development, to include requirements development, modeling and design, application development, unit to CSCI testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and maintenance. This Hardware and Software Integration and Test engineer will design, implement, and perform the integration and testing strategies of a large software system. This role will ensure that different modules and systems work together seamlessly and meet quality standards. They are responsible for creating test plans, automating tests, and ensuring that the software functions per the requirements specification. The engineer is a professional in the field of software testing and quality assurance. This role blends technical expertise with a broad vision for the testing process across the software development lifecycle. In addition, this role will cross traditional boundaries of testing to incorporate aspects of software development, automation, and strategic planning. This role will require the individual to have an understanding of the overall HW and SW architecture to include Operating system (OS), Services, and Application-level testing. The candidate will have the ability to identify potential risks, plan for contingencies, and make informed decisions regarding testing priorities as a RCCA (root cause and corrective action) process. The ideal candidate will have the ability to take ownership of hard problems and drive to a solution, while working in a team environment and provide leadership for its implementation. It is critical that you understand the software development life cycle and have an in-depth knowledge of automated testing to facilitate and analyze large data sets. The Principal Software Engineer will participate in the full life cycle of software development, to include requirements development, modeling and design, application development, unit to CSCI testing, integration, formal system testing, release, installation, and maintenance. The Principal Software Engineer will apply technical expertise in solving complex integrations problems. The Principal Software Engineer will interact with Program Management, external suppliers and/or government customers. Therefore, excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills are required. Solid experience in OS configuration, bash scripting, C/C++, or other OOP languages, in a Linux environment is required. Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret security clearance and Special Program Access is required. Essential Functions: Work in an innovative environment, on significantly diverse assignments, and in collaborative team settings across all levels Participate in the full software development life cycle including requirements, design, implementation, qualification, and delivery of software products to our customers Full lifecycle design, implementation, and unit testing of software. Apply extensive technical expertise and have full knowledge of other related disciplines. Able to communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings. Provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult problems that are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with programs objectives. In depth understanding and wide application of technical principle, theories, and concepts in the field listed under the basic qualifications. Design, develop, document, test and debug applications software and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions. Conduct multidisciplinary research when needed and collaborates with equipment designers and/or hardware engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems for product. Work with various team members to integrate functionality with other software components. Provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with organization objectives. Supporting the gathering and reporting software metrics. Follow program software best practices. Develop software products within all phases of the software lifecycle. Basic Qualifications: (Engineer Software) bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and 5 or more years of experience in software engineering OR a Master’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and 3 or more years of experience in software engineering Experience with test automation tools and frameworks Knowledge with Software Change Control, Change Management, and CI/CD tools such as: Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Bamboo), AND/OR GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes. Solid understanding of object-oriented programming languages, including C/C++ and python Development experience with C/C++ or other OOP languages Experience with configuration management using industry standard tools and processes Knowledge of various scripting and programming languages and software development tools Strong problem-solving and analytical skills Experience with debugging software in both desktop and target environments Experience with defect tracking systems (e.g., Jira, Bugzilla) Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines Experience developing and testing software in a Linux and Windows environment Experience testing Linux OS configuration and Services for a Linux environment Experience with Agile software development Experience with authentication and data encryption methods, to include securing communications at either the datalink or network layer Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) Understanding of testing methodologies (e.g., unit, integration, system, regression) Active certification at DOD 8570 IAT Level II (Security) Must be a US citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret level security clearance. Ability to obtain and maintain special program access. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline from an accredited university Experience with developing test software and scripts using various programming languages: C, C++, Java, Python, PowerShell, Bash, YAML Knowledge of Static & Dynamic Code Analysis Tools and Fuzzing Tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, AND/OR fortify Knowledge and ability to work directly with Hardware to integrate HW/SW in a closed lab environment Integration of new emerging industry technologies into program test environment Review, analyze, and incorporate technical requirements into end-to-end system architectures to include testing and documentation of results Willingness to work Temporary/short-term off-peak hours assignments for time constrained HW/SW integration efforts Full life cycle design, implementation, and feature/automated testing of software with an emphasis on packaging and release strategies Mentor and lead various teams to integrate and test functionality with other hardware and software components Knowledge of running and testing applications in a Container (Podman, docker) is a plus. Experience with IBM DOORS (Requirements Management) and SysML tools like Cameo Systems Modeler/MagicDraw (Model-Based Systems Engineering/MBSE) Experience with containerization technology (e.g. Podman, Docker) Experience with container orchestration systems (e.g. Kubernetes) Experience with virtualization technology (e.g. VirtualBox, QEMU, KVM, vmWare) Experience with network security (SELinux, CIPSO, SECMARK) Experience with multilevel security solutions Experience with Firewall, VPN, switch, and router configuration Experience with the NCDSMO cybersecurity standards Experience with developing test software and scripts using various programming languages: C, C++, Java, Python, PowerShell, Bash, YAML Knowledge with Static & Dynamic Code Analysis Tools and Fuzzing Tools such as: Coverity, SonarQube, AND/OR Fortify. Experience in the integration of new emerging industry technologies into program test environment Experience testing Linux OS configuration and Services for a Linux environment Full life cycle design, implementation, and feature/automated testing of software with an emphasis on packaging and release strategies Ensure software and integration best practices US citizen with a current in scope DoD secret or higher clearance. Currently the holder of a special program access. Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00 The 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Kissimmee , Principal Engineer Software (SW & HW integration and Test), IT / Software / Systems , Melbourne, Florida