Software Engineer (3/4) - Mission Planning & Scheduling (MPS) AHT

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

About the role

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.

Do you want to work at an international company with endless opportunities for growth and advancement? Are you eager to join a trust‑based, globally connected team, where your contributions will define what’s possible?

We are looking for team members who want to solve interesting, complex problems that protect our nation. Your talents and passion are most important to us. If you don’t know a language, program, or platform, we will teach you. Become a part of our enthusiastic team where we have fun working together and take pride in our contributions to the nation’s safety.

We are recruiting for mid‑level and senior engineers with a background in software development to join our Mission Planning & Scheduling (MPS) Ground Software team.

In these roles, the focus will be on development, integration, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground software with an emphasis on mission planning, scheduling, and satellite operations. These positions are located onsite on our Dulles, VA campus and require a Top Secret clearance at the time of application.

What you’ll get to do

• Perform full‑stack development at the OS, platform, and mission‑unique software layers for ground systems that plan and execute space missions.
• Develop mission planning and scheduling capabilities, including:
• Contact/passes planning and schedule generation
• Activity and resource scheduling for satellites and ground systems
• Integration of ephemeris, constraints, and operations rules into planning tools
• Develop client and server applications and services using service‑ or object‑oriented architectures and message‑bus–based data exchange, including first‑of‑a‑kind capabilities for satellite operations.
• Build and integrate applications using languages and toolsets such as:
• Python and C++
• PostgreSQL/Postgres
• Ansible and cloud infrastructure provisioning
• PKI and security‑focused tooling
• Static code analysis tools and remediation workflows
• Work with astrodynamics and mission operations teams to integrate trajectory, ephemeris, and constraints data into mission planning software and workflows.
• Support Operations ground software and associated configurations, including:
• Troubleshooting software issues and hardware impacting ground software
• Investigating and resolving issues in mission planning and scheduling services used by operations teams
• Support Acceptance Test events, including:
• Executing test procedures
• Test automation and validation of mission planning and scheduling functions
• Configure and deploy ground segment software, including:
• Installation of new ground segment and MPS software in operational, development, and test environments
• Resolution and remediation of software defects
• Implementing software enhancements as directed by customer change requests or mission needs
• Provide ground software support during launch and launch rehearsal events, with a focus on the MPS functions that support LEOP and early operations.
• Act as a self‑starter who can make technical decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.

As a successful employee, you will

• Be an active and integral member of your team.
• Channel your enthusiasm to innovate in mission planning and scheduling capabilities that operators rely on every day.
• Be part of a supportive team that develops and deploys technologies that matter to our national security.
• Work with agility, flexibility, and collaboration to explore creative ideas and improve mission planning workflows and tools.

This position can be filled at either the Software Engineer 3 or Software Engineer 4 level.

Basic Qualifications

Software Engineer Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 5 years of experience; OR a Master’s degree and 3 years; OR 1 year with PhD.

Experience may be considered in lieu of degree (additional 4 years).

• Demonstrated software development experience.
• Experience in:
• Python application development
• C++
• Bash scripting
• U.S. Citizenship.
• A current or active Top Secret clearance is required at the time of application.

Software Engineer Level 4

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (ideally Computer Science or Engineering) and 8 years of experience; OR a Master’s degree and 6 years; OR a PhD and 4 years.
• Experience in:
• Python application development
• C++
• Bash scripting
• U.S. Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong preference given to Top Secret with SCI eligibility or current SCI.
• Experience with satellite ground systems and/or mission planning & scheduling for space missions.
• Familiarity with astrodynamics / orbital mechanics / satellite operations and tools such as FreeFlyer, STK, or other mission planning and analysis tools.
• Experience supporting:
• Launch and early orbit operations (LEOP)
• On‑orbit operations, contact planning, or schedule generation
• Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automation in an operational ground software environment.

#SPEnhancedERAP

Primary Level Salary Range

$114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$142,200.00 - $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.

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.