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Flight Software

Sr Principal Engineer Software – SW Architect (26-461) Space AHT

Northrop Grumman logoNorthrop Grumman$135,800–$203,600/yrHuntsville, AL, United StatesFull timePosted 3w ago
  • TS/SCI clearance
  • Secret clearance
  • Security+

How this pay compares

This posting states $136k–$204k a year. Open software engineer jobs in Alabama post a median of $169k a year, the middle half $138k–$212k, across 28 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.

Software engineers in Alabama: pay by town and employer

About the job

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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. Northrop Grumman Space Systems - Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for an NG-only Sr.

Principal Engineer, Software – SW Architect (26-461) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based in Huntsville, AL, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels.

This position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options. ## Position Overview The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is a key component of the Missile Defense System.

It is a vital operational system that enables the U.S. president, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at strategic, regional, and operational levels to plan ballistic missile defense operations systematically, collectively monitor the battle, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals.

C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities that enable an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It serves as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations, both globally and regionally, to improve performance.

C2BMC is essential for all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the current and future capabilities of missile defense systems. The candidate will be a member of the C2BMC software architecture team on the Regional Applications Agile Release Train (RA ART).

Responsibilities will include refining and overseeing the evolution of the software architecture for the Java‑based Regional C2BMC system and ensuring alignment with the C2BMC program's architectural design tenets.

This includes providing direct technical support to the RA ART leadership team, coordinating with RA Product Teams, and coordinating with other ARTs and RMAs (such as Systems Engineering, Integration & Test, and Operations & Sustainment). ## Essential Functions - Developing, updating, and maintaining software architecture artifacts for the RA ART in line with planned updates for new C2BMC functionality - Assessing the impact of proposed software changes on the C2BMC software architecture baselines - Working with other program software and system architects to ensure that RA ART updates align with enterprise architecture, intent, and guidance - Supporting briefings, presentations, and demonstrations for the customer at Technical Interchange Meetings, quarterly reviews, and similar events - Supporting the analysis, design, and implementation of cyber requirements for the Regional C2BMC software - Coordinating with RA Product Teams and other ARTs/RMAs to ensure architectural consistency, traceability, and alignment with program-level design principles - Applying modern software architecture paradigms (e.g., scalable, maintainable, and event‑driven patterns) to guide the evolution of the Regional C2BMC system - Supporting the application of automation and CI/CD pipelines to enforce standards and drive quality and test repeatability - Clearly communicating architectural intent and constraints to a diverse group of customers, developers, engineers, subject-matter experts, and users - Performing any other tasks required by the program to support C2BMC mission objectives ## Basic Qualifications Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable. - A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 8 years of experience; or a Master’s degree ( preferred ) in a related field with 6 years of relevant work experience; or 12 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree - Applicants must have a current, active Government-Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+ CE, GSEC, SCNP, SSCP, CISSP, CISA, GSE, SCNA, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start.

The candidate is responsible for maintaining their 8140 certifications throughout the entire contract period - Applicants must have a current, active in-scope Government-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start, with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance - Occasional travel will be required for this position - Software engineering and architecture experience on large software systems, including: - Experience developing software architecture and design changes for large‑scale distributed software systems accounting for software quality factors such as reliability, integrity, usability, and testability - Experience performing logical and physical modeling of complex software systems - Experience with the Java programming language and the full software development lifecycle from initial design through development, testing, and fielding - Familiarity with Information Assurance ( IA ) and Cybersecurity principles, static and dynamic security assessment tools, Secure Technical Implementation Guides ( STIGs) , and secure system architecture - Understanding of modern software architecture paradigms such as scalable, maintainable, and event‑driven patterns - Knowledge and experience with virtualization, containerization, and orchestration; development and/or deployment into cloud‑based environments; and application of AI agents - Ability to apply automation and CI/CD pipelines to enforce standards, drive quality, and support test repeatability - The successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to work independently in a highly dynamic environment, and the ability to represent C2BMC to the highest levels of the MDA customer - Must be a self‑starter who can initiate research and clearly document results ## Preferred Qualifications - Applicants with a current, active in-scope Government-issued Top Secret/SCI security clearance at the time of application are highly desired - Previous experience with missile defense and command‑and‑control systems, especially within an agile environment - Architecture development and coordination, defining the relationships between internal and external components - Experience communicating architectural intent and constraints to a diverse group of customers, developers, engineers, subject matter experts, and users - Experience with Test Driven Design (TDD) methodology strongly desired. - Experience working on large DoD or similar complex systems programs with geographically dispersed teams - Prior experience with the C2BMC program or similar Missile Defense Agency systems ## What We Can Offer You Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that encourages your growth, benefiting both employees and the company.

The be

From Northrop Grumman's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Northrop Grumman

Satellites, space telescopes, cargo spacecraft and rocket boosters, inside a defense prime.

Pay on its listings: 98% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

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