Principal/Sr Principal Software Engineer – Data Analyst

Why you’ll love this role

Join Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems on site in Palmdale, CA, to lead data analytics toolset initiatives for cross‑discipline engineering teams. You’ll influence how large data sets are harnessed to support maintenance of communications subsystems and advanced payload technologies, while collaborating across Cloud & Application, Communications & Networking, Advanced Payload Technologies, Test Automation, DevSecOps, and Systems Test domains. The position offers a competitive salary range of $114,000 to $213,400 per year, a comprehensive benefits package, potential relocation support, and up to 25% travel. A Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required to start, reflecting the mission‑critical nature of the work and the chance to contribute to programs with broad impact.

What you’ll do

• Lead a team of engineers to develop, integrate, and maintain an enterprise‑level toolset supporting cross‑discipline engineering efforts.
• Create toolsets that exploit large operational data to assist in the maintenance of communications subsystems and advanced payload technologies.
• Collaborate in an engineering environment with Cloud & Application, Communications & Networking, Advanced Payload Technologies, Test Automation, DevSecOps, and Systems Test teams.
• Partner with stakeholders to design, build, and maintain mission critical systems.
• Identify technical risks and opportunities, and proactively develop mitigation plans.
• Communicate the team’s progress and accomplishments to senior leadership.
• Work with the Product Owner to manage the product roadmap and communicate impacts of changing customer requirements.
• Establish and maintain CI/CD pipelines to ensure stability and quality throughout the software development life cycle.
• Commit to ongoing professional growth by expanding skills and maintaining relevant certifications.

Requirements

• Level 3: Bachelor’s in a STEM field with 5 years of related engineering experience; or Master’s with 3 years; or PhD with 1 year.
• Level 4: Bachelor’s in a STEM field with 8 years of related engineering experience; or Master’s with 6 years; or PhD with 4 years.
• Hands‑on software development experience with Python, Java, C++, and/or MATLAB to enable exploitation of large data sets.
• Experience in at least two of the following areas: predictive trend analysis with AI/ML techniques; building and maintaining complex databases across multiple IT infrastructures; working with Parquet, SQL, Neo4j, Elasticsearch, or MongoDB; container management tools such as Kubernetes, Amazon EKS, Docker Swarm, Nomad, or Red Hat OpenShift; automating tasks with Ansible, Bash, PowerShell, Puppet, or Python; performance monitoring tools such as Elastic Stack or Grafana; interpreting complex ICDs and drawings to derive data structures; strong collaboration and communication using Atlassian tools (Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket); agile experience; Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and ability to obtain SAP access via PAR.

Security and travel: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required, with the ability to obtain initial SAP access via a PAR and to maintain subsequent SAP PARs as needed. Travel up to 25% is anticipated.

Technologies you’ll work with

• Python, Java, C++, MATLAB
• Parquet, SQL, Neo4j, Elasticsearch, MongoDB
• Kubernetes, Amazon EKS, Docker Swarm, Nomad, Red Hat OpenShift
• Ansible, Bash, PowerShell, Puppet
• Elastic Stack, Grafana
• Atlassian Suite (Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket), Maven, Bamboo, GitLab

compensation

Primary level salary range: $114,000 to $171,000 per year. Secondary level salary range: $142,200 to $213,400 per year.

Benefits

• Health coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation or personal business
• Overtime eligibility
• Shift differentials
• Discretionary bonus
• Long‑term incentives

Relocation assistance

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance

Clearance required for start: Yes. Clearance type: Top Secret. Travel: Yes, 25% of the time.

About the role

Northrop Grumman seeks bold, collaborative professionals to contribute to landmark systems with meaningful global impact. The candidate will join a team focused on data analytics and toolset development, operating onsite in Palmdale and engaging in an Integrated Product Team style of work to advance critical programs.