Staff Software Engineer – Level 5

CORP-Corporate Office

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US-California-Redondo Beach Until 10/4/2026 12+ years exp First posted August 5, 2026 Last posted August 5, 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.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Staff Software Engineer – Level 5 to join our team of highly qualified, diverse professionals within the Western Region Software Engineering Directorate. This position is located onsite in Redondo Beach, CA.

The job responsibilities of the Staff Software Engineer – Level 5 include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design, develop, document, integrate, test, and debug software solutions for end-user customers.

• Support the architecture, development, and lifecycle management of embedded and real-time systems.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams—including Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, Hardware, and Integration & Test—within an Agile development environment.

• Analyze system capabilities to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to program intent, output requirements, data acquisition, programming methods, and control strategies.

• Work in a fast-paced lab environment with rapid development cycles.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 12+ years of software development experience; Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years of software development experience; Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of software development experience.

• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance required at the time of application.

• Strong proficiency in C and C++ development.

• Extensive experience with VxWorks Real-Time Operating System.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior experience supporting Directed Energy programs
  • Image processing experience
  • Linux/Red Hawk Linux experience
  • Experience with low-level development
  • Experience with Curtis-Wright VPX processors
  • Experience with Acromag AcroPack interface VPX cards
  •  Prior experience with MATLAB
  • Experience with adaptive optics processing

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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.
About this role

Summary

Design, develop, and support software for embedded and real-time aerospace systems.

Job title

Staff Software Engineer – Level 5

Experience level

12+ years

Minimum experience

12+ years exp

Industry

aerospace

Location requirements

Onsite in Redondo Beach, CA, no remote work allowed.

Salary

$177k–$266k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

CC++VxWorkssecurity clearance

Preferred skills

Directed Energyimage processingLinuxlow-level developmentMATLABadaptive optics

Specializations

embedded systemsreal-time systemsCC++VxWorks
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Redondo Beach, CA, USA

On-site City