Sr. Staff Software Engineer (Full Stack Software Discipline Lead)

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, renowned for its innovative solutions that shape the future of aerospace, defense, and security. With a rich history of groundbreaking achievements, including contributions to the first transatlantic flight, stealth technology, and lunar missions, Northrop Grumman continues to pioneer advancements that impact national security and technological progress worldwide. The company fosters a culture of intellectual curiosity, diversity, and a commitment to ethical practices, empowering employees to bring their full selves to work and push the boundaries of what is possible. Northrop Grumman offers a supportive environment where individuals with bold ideas and a pioneering spirit can thrive and contribute to projects of global importance.

The Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Sector (NGAS) Software Engineering Center of Technical Excellence (CoTE) is at the forefront of creating a comprehensive Everything-as-Code (XaC) ecosystem. This advanced platform is powered by an AI-augmented workforce and a resilient software factory designed to enhance mission effectiveness swiftly and reliably. The team focuses on evolving tools, processes, training, and metrics that make the software engineering ecosystem more efficient, measurable, and prepared for future challenges.

The company is seeking a Sr. Staff Engineer Software to serve as the Full Stack Software Discipline Lead, a senior technical authority responsible for overseeing the governance of critical elements such as tools, processes, training, and performance metrics. This leadership role is essential to enabling NGAS teams across various programs to design, develop, and maintain software technologies used in diverse subsystems, including ground-based mission planning, command-and-control, data dissemination, and training software.

This position supports all Aeronautics Systems business divisions and is geographically flexible, covering locations such as Melbourne, FL; Palmdale, CA; San Diego, CA; South Bay (El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach), CA; and Oklahoma City, OK. Rather than engaging in daily coding or system integration, the discipline lead focuses on architecting, sustaining, and continuously improving the ecosystem of tools, processes, training, and metrics that enable product teams' success.

Key responsibilities include providing strategic leadership for technical priorities within the software discipline, collaborating with Engineering and Integration discipline leads to address program needs, and leading the development and sustainment of sector-wide engineering solutions and standardized processes. The role also involves building and maintaining a robust Software Community of Practice to foster collaboration, share best practices, and elevate overall technical performance.

Core technical competencies expected of candidates encompass cloud and distributed computing platforms (AWS, Azure, OpenStack), containerization technologies, geospatial engineering, human factors engineering, software construction, interoperability standards, cross-domain governance, cybersecurity governance, and open systems architectures. The position aims to accelerate software delivery by over 15%, improve software engineering productivity and safety metrics, and champion state-of-the-art, secure software solutions aligned with Department of Defense strategic objectives such as Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and multi-vehicle swarm coordination.

Northrop Grumman values integrity, accountability, shared success, and pioneering vision, encouraging all leaders and employees to embody these principles in their work. The company offers competitive compensation, including a salary range of $157,800 to $289,200 depending on location and experience, along with potential bonuses and comprehensive benefits. Relocation assistance may be available. An active U.S. government Secret clearance is required for this role, with eligibility for further clearance levels.