Software Engineer/Principal Software Engineer - Java
Northrop Grumman
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San Diego, CA · Posted October 15, 2026
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November 2026
- #1Cities hosting the most business conferences in the West Coast78 conferences · of 17
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About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Software Engineer - Java or Principal Software Engineer - Java to join our team on site in San Diego, CA or El Segundo, CA .
The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct. The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative team settings across all levels. Candidate must be comfortable in a lab environment and be able to collaborate closely with system engineers, hardware designers, and integration/test engineers.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
• Work with a team of developers and integrators focused on delivering software products as part of an IFC.
• Participate in the software development cycle including design, implementation and delivery of build/test/release.
• Work with object oriented programming, design patterns, JMS, Web Services, XML and related technologies (i.e., XPath, XSLT, XSD)
• Develop enterprise solutions for Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) in a SOA environment
• Work in a process-oriented software development environment across the software lifecycle
• Collaborate with team members on a regular basis.
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.
This position may be filled as either a level 2 Software Engineer - Java or level 3 Principal Software Engineer - Java.
Basic Qualifications:
• Level 2: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and entry level engineering experience;
•Level 3: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.
• Direct experience developing Java applications
• Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance (must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
• Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Program Access (SAP/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.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering
• Experience in developing enterprise solutions for Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) in a SOA environment
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, Ansible, Cucumber, microservices, Security+, Agile development, GUI applications, threading, object oriented programming, design patterns, JMS, and web technologies including Knockout, Web Services, XML and related technologies (i.e., XPath, XSLT, XSD)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface with all levels of employees and management
Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
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.