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Software Engineering Director 1

Northrop Grumman

Posted today
Secret
$214,100 - $321,100
Unspecified
IT - Software
Baltimore, MD (On-Site/Office)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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 Mission System's Engineering and Sciences (E&S) Baltimore and Partnered Sites Division is seeking a Software Engineering Director 1 in our BWI facility in Baltimore, MD and will require 100% on-site work.

What You Will Get to Do:
Lead the strategy, design, delivery, and operational excellence of a unified engineering organization responsible for both high performance data processing pipelines and low level computing platforms. The role blends deep technical leadership with people management to drive a culture of rapid iteration, modern engineering practices, and scalable architecture across distributed, real time, and high throughput systems.

Roles & Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership -Define and champion the long term technology and talent roadmap for secure embedded processing, including investment prioritization, capability gap analysis, and alignment with mission critical programs. Guide contract and internal projects in the use of and investment in shared software building blocks and enabling technologies to achieve rapid, cost-efficient delivery of capability. Promote awareness through organizational engagement such as sponsoring tech talks and publishing whitepapers and blogs.

Define & Enforce Engineering Processes - Establish and continuously improve engineering processes, best practice guidelines, and engineering metrics; audit adherence and drive corrective actions. Promote best practices such as CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, static analysis, DevSecOps, observability (metrics, tracing, logging), and performance benchmarking. Build cross discipline alignment (hardware, firmware, software, test, and verification) to achieve speed and quality in software capability delivery.

Proposal & program oversight - Review and sign off on proposal and program plans; verify that resources, technical rigor, decision rationale, realistic estimates, and prudent risk taking are embedded. Review execution throughout programs, ensure quality of work products and independent technical reviews, and proactively identify and address risks.

Team Management & Growth - Lead a team of 6-7 section managers and oversee an organization of 300-500 engineers across software, data platforms, firmware, QA and DevOps. Recruit, onboard, and develop top talent; champion diversity, equity, and inclusion; conduct performance reviews, career path planning, and mentorship programs. Facilitate conflict-resolution and promote workforce engagement.

This position is contingent on the successful transfer of an active DoD Secret clearance, the ability to obtain or successfully transfer an active DoD Top Secret Clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree with 10 years of experience, a master's degree with 8 years of experience, or a PhD with 6 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields.
  • U.S Citizenship is required.
  • An active DoD Secret Clearance.
  • Ability to obtain/maintain an active DoD Top Secret Clearance.
  • Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
  • Minimum of 5 years demonstrated success leading multiple large, distributed engineering teams focused on software engineering, preferably for secure, embedded, resource (SWaPc)-constrained, tactical processing.
  • Experienced in software engineering processes and tailoring.
  • High proficiency in technical problem-solving, including root cause analysis and solution development.
  • Experience translating complex concepts for executive audiences.
  • Experience with program execution, staffing, engineering metrics and training resources, processes, and tools.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics or related technical fields.
  • Active Top Secret Clearance or higher.
  • 8+ years of professional experience in defense or aerospace industries
  • Experience delivering complex embedded hardware software solutions on time and within budget.
  • Demonstrated track record of software reuse initiatives that produced shared solutions adopted across multiple contracts, with measurable ROI.
  • Hands on expertise with core secure embedded technologies such as C/C++, Rust, assembly, Linux/Yocto, secure boot (UEFI/Barebox), hypervisor or separation kernel concepts, and high assurance cryptographic subsystems.
  • Familiarity with DoD/IC program protection guidance, export control constraints, and SWaP C3 optimization.
  • Experience mentoring senior engineers and building diverse, high-performing technical teams in a matrixed, multi-site environment.
  • Familiarity with DevSecOps, CI/CD tools, and infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
  • Proven technical management experience preferably in either program profit and loss or integrated product team


Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.

Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.

Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.

Primary Level Salary Range: $214,100.00 - $321,100.00

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.
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About Us
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
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Northrop Grumman Jobs


Job Category
IT - Software
Clearance Level
Secret