Principal Software Engineer - Virtualization Engineer III (26-099/26-120)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available\n\nCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes\n\nCLEARANCE TYPE: Secret\n\nTRAVEL: No\n\n## Description\n\nAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people\u0027s 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\u0027s 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 \u2014 and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they\u0027re making history.\n\nNorthrop Grumman Space Systems\u2014Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for 2 (two) Principal Engineer Software \u2013 Virtualization Engr III (26-099 \u0026 26-120) to join our team of talented and diverse professionals. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels.\n\nThis position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options.\n\nPosition Overview:\n\nThe 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 systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, 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 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.\n\nIn this role, the candidate will help design, implement, and manage modern virtualized and software-defined networking environments. The focus will be on deploying and maintaining VMware vSphere and VMware NSX infrastructures to ensure secure, scalable, and highly available compute and network services.\n\nEssential Functions:\n\n * Will collaborate across infrastructure, storage, and security teams to troubleshoot issues, optimize system performance, enforce micro segmentation, and maintain reliable connectivity in virtual and physical environments.\n\n * Will collaborate within an Agile Scrum team and plan work according to customer needs and contractual agreements\n\n * Deploy, configure, and maintain VMware NSX environments, including transport zones, segments, edge nodes, and logical networking components such as Tier-0/Tier-1 gateways, NAT, and routing protocols like BGP\n\n * Design and enforce network security policies using NSX distributed firewall (DFW), gateway firewall, and micro-segmentation techniques\n\n * Design, deploy, and manage VMware vSphere virtual infrastructure, including ESXi hosts, clusters, and vCenter, while ensuring high availability (HA), Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), and storage integration\n\n * Monitor and troubleshoot connectivity, performance, capacity, and security issues using tools like Traceflow, packet capture, NSX CLI, and other VMware monitoring utilities\n\n * Integrate VMware NSX and vSphere with the underlying physical network and storage infrastructure, working with cross-functional teams to support upgrades, deployments, and infrastructure projects\n\n * Travel to remote locations to lead and execute network and virtualization installations, independently troubleshoot issues, and provide status updates to program personnel\n\n * Provide support for critical activities outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed\n\n * Typically has 3 or more years of relevant experience and may possess a post-secondary degree or training in a related field\n\n * Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills, including proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Visio\n\n * Ability to collaborate effectively in team settings and work independently on extensive field projects\n\n * Experience with agile frameworks and implementing agile principles in engineering tasks\n\n * Carry out any other tasks needed by the program\n\n\n\n\nBasic Qualifications:\n\nPlease list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.\n\n * A Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Network Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 5 years of experience; or a Master\u2019s degree in a related field with 3 years of relevant work experience; or 9 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree\n\n * Applicants must have a current, active DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+ CE, GSEC, SCNP, SSCP, CISSP, CISA, GSE, SCNA, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start. The candidate is responsible for maintaining their DoD 8140 certification throughout the entire contract period\n\n * Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start with the ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance\n\n * Willingness to travel 10% of the time for business needs\n\n * Must possess an active VCP, VCF Administrator, or Architect Certification\n\n * Active legacy certifications like VMware Certified Professional (VCP) in Data Center Virtualization (DCV) and/or Network Virtualization (NV) are also acceptable\n\n * Hands-on experience deploying, managing, and troubleshooting VMware NSX and vSphere environments, including ESXi hosts, vCenter, NetApp NAS/SAN, Windows Server, and SQL Server\n\n * Strong understanding of virtualization concepts: vMotion, HA, DRS, storage integration\n\n * Deep understanding of networking: OSI Model, TCP/IP, routing protocols, network traffic analysis, and troubleshooting\n\n\n\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\n\n * Applicants with a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Top Secret security clearance at the time of application are strongly preferred\n\n * Holds an active VCAP certification in VCF Automation, Networking, Administrator, or Architect roles\n\n * Active legacy certifications such as VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) in Network Virtualization (NV) and/or Data Center Virtualization \u2013 Design or Deploy are also acceptable\n\n * Experience with VMware storage solutions: vSAN, Site Recovery Manager (SRM), and Storage Area Networks\n\n * Knowledge of automation tools or scripting for VMware administration (PowerCLI, Python, or Ansible)\n\n * Familiarity with hybrid cloud setups (VMware Cloud on AWS, Azure VMware Solution)\n\n * Exposure to monitoring and reporting tools such as vRealize Operations, vROps, or similar\n\n * Experience mentoring junior staff or managing virtualization projects\n\n * Experience developing VM deployment templates and automating deployments\n\n * Experience with Microsoft Windows Server and Red Hat Server handling multi-user applications\n\n * Understanding of standard DoD security practices such as STIG compliance and system accreditation\n\n * Knowledge of authentication and encryption methods and capabilities (ACS, Active Directory, GEM-X)\n\n * Experience with Photon OS\n\n * Prior experience with C2BMC or similar command-and-control systems\n\n\n\n\nWhat We Can Offer You:\n\nNorthrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that encourages your growth, supporting both employees and the company\u0027s success. The benefits at Northrop Grumman are flexible and customizable, allowing you to choose options that best fit your needs and your family\u0027s. Your benefits will include the following:\n\n * Health Plan\n\n * Savings Plan\n\n * Paid Time Off\n\n * Education Assistance\n\n * Training and Development\n\n * Flexible Work Arrangements\n\n\n\n\n Northrop Grumman Information:\n\nPrimary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00\n\nThe 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\u0027s experience, education, skills and current market conditions.\n\nDepending 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nNorthrop 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.\n