Software Engineer (lead Python programming) – Level 4

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Lead Software Engineer with strong Python expertise to lead a small software team in Fairfax, Virginia, building simulation tools for satellite data flow. This 100% onsite position follows a 9/80 schedule and requires an active TS/SCI clearance, aligning with mission-focused development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to architecture decisions by weighing options and technology choices and ensuring alignment with project goals and requirements.
• Design and implement new software or modify existing code to add new features.
• Identify and fix defects while considering the broader impact on the software system.
• Develop tests to verify code correctness and ensure alignment with system requirements.
• Design, develop, and modify software pipelines and deployment methods to automate development processes, promoting consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with other teams, including network specialists, to ensure the simulation models relevant parameters accurately.
• Lead, mentor, and assign tasks to less experienced software developers to build software capability.
• Provide technical updates to the government customer.
• Lead efforts to transfer existing software tools and datasets from an Unclassified to a Classified environment.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance current and within scope at the time of application.
• Level 4: Senior Principal level.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of software development experience (an additional 4 years may be considered in lieu of a completed Bachelor’s).
• Master’s degree with 6 years of software development experience.
• PhD with 4 years of software development experience.
• Proven experience programming in Python for a minimum of 3 years at a senior level.
• Experience in software architecture design patterns.
• Experience with version control practices (GitLab preferred).

Technologies

• Python
• GitLab

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Annual bonuses
• Long Term Incentives

Relocation Assistance

• Relocation assistance may be available

Location

Fairfax, VA onsite

Clearance for Start

Yes

Clearance Type

SCI

Travel

Yes, 10% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• STEM degree
• Experience with networking
• Experience with developing or using containerized software
• Experience with DevOps fundamentals and the maintenance of software pipelines
• Experience with productizing software solutions
• Experience leading junior software developers
• Experience with satellite network management and traffic topology