Autonomy Software Integration and Test

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · El Segundo, CA +1 · Software

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Software Engineer or Principal Software Engineer to join their Advanced Autonomy Team. The role focuses on the end-to-end integration and testing of mission autonomy software for unmanned autonomous aircraft platforms. Responsibilities include defining and executing integration and test strategies, root cause analysis, developing test plans, implementing automated test frameworks and CI/CD pipelines, overseeing scenario testing, coordinating releases, and reporting on system maturity. The position requires experience with Python, C++, Linux, OOP, TDD, and Agile practices, with a focus on software engineering for the full development lifecycle.

What you'd actually do

  1. You will report to the Advanced Autonomy Team and will be a key member of their mission autonomy software integration and test group working with unmanned autonomous aircraft platforms and their support systems.
  2. In this role you will work on end-to-end integration of the mission autonomy stack.
  3. You will define and execute system-level integration and test strategies across simulation, SIL/HIL, and on the Talon IQ platform.
  4. You will also drive root cause analysis and propose resolutions to software issues as well as collaborate to resolve them.
  5. Develop comprehensive test plans and verification criteria.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 2 years of engineering related experience or a Masters in STEM with 0 years of related engineering experience (for Software Engineer)
  • Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of engineering related experience or a Masters in STEM with 3 years of related engineering experience (for Principal Software Engineer)
  • Python
  • C++
  • Linux based development environments
  • Object Oriented Programming concepts
  • test-driven development practices
  • Agile best practices and processes
  • software engineering practices and patterns for the full software/hardware/network development life cycle
  • coding standards
  • code reviews
  • source control management
  • build processes
  • testing
  • integrating containerized software using open standards such as OCI (Open Container Initiative)
  • ability to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance and Special Access Program (SAP)

Nice to have

  • Experience implementing integrating or testing on-board mission system software.
  • Experience developing or integrating Mission Autonomy software for tasking, routing, or other behaviors
  • Experience with Government Reference Architectures like OMS/UCI and A-GRA
  • Knowledge or experience with software infrastructure as code for technologies such as (Kubernetes/K3s, Podman/Docker, Helm, etc.)
  • Experience with Operating System fundamentals such as memory management, scheduling, and concurrency.

What the JD emphasized

  • obtain and maintain a US Government clearance and Special Access Program (SAP)