Staff Engineer Software (Avionics)

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

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes 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. The Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) Global Surveillance division is seeking a Staff Engineer Software (Avionics) with expertise in software Vehicle Management Systems “VMS” controls and Automated Landing Units “ALUs” to join our team in Melbourne, Florida . In this role, the engineer will focus on the design, development, integration, and maintenance of software solutions that ensure optimal performance and reliability of flight control and autopilot systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background and proven practical experience in these areas. As a key member of our agile development team, the Software Engineer will lead efforts in designing and implementing software for flight control surfaces and autopilot functionalities. This role involves engaging with internal stakeholders to gather requirements, prototype, and design innovative solutions tailored to specific system needs. The engineer will also be responsible for automating deployment processes and managing software configurations to enhance operational efficiency. Key Responsibilities: · Guide the design, development, implementation, and testing of software throughout the full product lifecycle. · Collaborate with team members and other departments to ensure successful integration of software components. · Lead solutions for complex problems and provide technical leadership within software-focused groups. · Oversee the gathering and analysis of software metrics to optimize performance and ensure product quality. · Engage and provide necessary support in software working groups that include customer members. · Ensure adherence to best software practices throughout all stages of development. · Facilitate the progression of software products through all lifecycle stages, embracing industry standards and best practices. Basic Qualifications: · Staff Software Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university with 12 or more years software engineering experience, or Master’s degree and 10 or more years’ software engineering experience or a PhD with 8 or more years of software engineering experience. · 10 years’ expertise in object-oriented programming languages, particularly C/C++. · Extensive experience (10 years) with Windows, Linux, and/or real-time operating systems like LynxOS or VxWorks. · 8 years’ experience developing safety-critical software · In-depth working knowledge of aviation and a strong understanding of safety-critical systems and software protocols · 8 years’ experience in software development for VMS flight control systems and ALUs, including practical experience in their development and integration. · Proficiency in creating and maintaining comprehensive software documentation throughout the development lifecycle. · 8 years’ experience in debugging software on both desktop and target environments. · Experience developing software within an Agile environment · Experience with configuration management using industry standard tools and processes. · Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance. Interim DoD Secret is ok to start · Ability to obtain and maintain a program special access clearance (Not required to start) Preferred Qualifications: · Practical experience with DO-178C or equivalent safety-critical software standards. · Detailed knowledge of avionics communication protocols, including ARINC 429, ARINC 422, and MIL-STD-1553. · Experience in embedded testing environments, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) for avionics systems. · Familiarity with the certification processes of aviation industry standards, such as RTCA/DO-178 for software. · Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a team environment and interact successfully with engineering counterparts in various disciplines. · Experience with collaborative software development tools, such as the GitLab suite, focusing on version control systems like Git. · An active DoD Top Secret level security clearance is highly preferred Primary Level Salary Range: $152,900.00 - $229,300.00 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 , Staff Engineer Software (Avionics), IT / Software / Systems , Melbourne, Florida