Sr Principal Software Engineer - Thread Lead

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

Job Description

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr Principal Software Engineer - Thread Lead to join our team on site in San Diego, CA, El Segundo, CA or Oklahoma City, OK. This role requires a self‑motivated professional with proven experience collaborating in cross functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).

The ideal candidate will be a technology visionary and strategist who can lead the end to end lifecycle of data centric initiatives spanning data science, architecture, storage, analytics, and dissemination. This position demands strong interpersonal skills, the ability to influence stakeholders, and a proven track record of delivering results in highly regulated, high clearance environments.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide collaborative technical leadership that drives the maturation and evolution of data solutions across a portfolio of programs, contracts, and operating units, even when requirements conflict.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert for all aspects of data acquisition, harmonization, processing, storage, analysis, and dissemination across diverse data formats, technologies, and network/distribution protocols.
• Translate raw sensor and telemetry feeds into actionable information that supports mission critical decision making.
• Provide technical leadership and serve as the lead architect for all phases of the product lifecycle, with immediate focus on developing off site storage and extensible data dissemination solutions.
• Define enterprise level strategy and support expansion of the mission set, emphasizing the conversion of raw data into actionable information.
• Advise senior leadership on analytics value opportunities and roadmap alignment.
• Collaborate with end user and customer teams to ensure solutions meet real world needs and incorporate direct feedback.
• Lead technical execution of capabilities and products, owning requirements, design, and serving as the primary point of contact for reach back support.
• Support risk mitigation and proactively generate opportunity driven enhancements.
• Decompose the solution backlog, prioritize epics and user stories, act as the approval authority for feature completion, and define the Definition of Done.
• Facilitate knowledge share and management activities across data acquisition, analysis, and dissemination disciplines.
• Develop and govern data standards to ensure consistency, quality, and interoperability across programs.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience being a technical project lead and Product Owner accountable to the outcome of the solutions developed
• Demonstrated understanding of communications technology, data acquisition, storage, processing and analysis technologies, including big data challenges and solutions
• General understanding of network protocols and data dissemination strategies
• Demonstrated ability to stay abreast of developments at the intersection of data science and technology
• Experience engaging cross-functional teams to build a strong data infrastructure
• Self‑directed leader
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Note: SAP/PAR will be upgraded once selected candidate is in role. Therefore, candidate must also be able to obtain and maintain upgraded SAP/PAR).

Preferred Qualifications

• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Master’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics)
• Skilled at defining, motivating and driving change across multiple contracts/business areas with a dual focus on supporting the end‑user mission and ensuring business value
• Advanced technical knowledge of data science and data architecture
• Proven understanding of statistics, structured and unstructured data analysis, predictive modeling techniques and data visualization as well as a good command of emerging methodologies like Artificial Intelligence
• Recognized experience as a thought leader and innovator in the development of new tools, methodologies and problem‑solving approaches

Benefits

Primary Level Salary Range: $116,300.00 - $213,400.00

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.

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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Job Category: Engineering