Principal Software Engineer - Virtualization (26-184)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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 Space Systems-Missile Defense Integration offers an excellent opportunity for a Principal Software Engineer - Virtualization (26-184) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, this role is essential to supporting the U.S. President, the Secretary of Defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels.

This position does not provide relocation assistance and requires on-site work with no remote options.

Position Overview:

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program is the integrating element of the Missile Defense System. It is a vital operational system that enables the U.S. president, the secretary of defense, and combatant commanders at the strategic, regional, and operational levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, collectively observe the battle as it develops, and dynamically manage designated networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission objectives. C2BMC supports a layered missile defense capability that enables an optimized response to threats across all ranges and phases of flight. C2BMC is the force multiplier that globally and regionally networks, integrates, and synchronizes autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations to optimize performance. C2BMC is an integral part of all system ground and flight tests that verify and exercise the capabilities of current and future missile defense systems.

In this role, the candidate will support the design, implementation, and operation of modern virtualized and software-defined networking environments. The role will focus on deploying and managing VMware vSphere and VMware NSX infrastructure to ensure secure, scalable, and highly available compute and network services.

Essential Functions:

• Will collaborate with infrastructure, storage, and security teams to troubleshoot issues, optimize system performance, enforce microsegmentation, and maintain reliable connectivity across virtual and physical environments
• Will work within an Agile Scrum team and plan work based on customer requirements and program contractual agreements
• Deploy, configure, and maintain VMware NSX environments, including transport zones, segments, edge nodes, and logical networking components (Tier-0/Tier-1 gateways, NAT, and routing protocols such as BGP)
• Design and enforce network security policies using NSX distributed firewall (DFW), gateway firewall, and microsegmentation
• Design, deploy, and manage VMware vSphere virtual infrastructure, including ESXi hosts, clusters, and vCenter, ensuring high availability (HA), Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), and storage integration
• Monitor and troubleshoot connectivity, performance, capacity, and security issues using tools such as Traceflow, packet capture, NSX CLI, and other VMware monitoring tools
• Integrate VMware NSX and vSphere with the underlying physical network and storage infrastructure, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support upgrades, deployments, and infrastructure projects
• Travel to remote locations to lead and perform network and virtualization installations, independently troubleshoot, and provide status updates to program personnel
• Support critical activities outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
• Generally, has 3+ years of related experience and may hold a post-secondary degree or training in a related discipline
• Perform any other tasks required by the program

Basic Qualifications:

Please list your current security clearance and IAT or relevant certifications on your resume, if applicable.

• A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Network Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 5 years of experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with 3 years of relevant work experience; or 9 years of relevant work experience may be considered as an alternative to a degree
• Applicants must have a current, active DoD 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (such as Security+, GSEC, SCNP, SSCP, CISSP, CISA, GSE, SCNA, etc.) at the time of application, which is required to start. The candidate is responsible for maintaining their DoD 8140 certification throughout the entire contract period
• Applicants must have a current, active in-scope DoD-issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start with the ability to obtain Top Secret clearance
• Willingness to 10% travel for business needs
• Must have an active VCP - VCF Administrator and/or Architect certification
• Active legacy certifications, such as VMware Certified Professional (VCP) in Data Center Virtualization (DCV) and/or Network Virtualization (NV), are also acceptable
• Hands-on experience in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting VMware NSX and vSphere environments, including ESXi hosts, vCenter, NetApp NAS/SAN, Windows Server, and SQL Server
• Strong understanding of virtualization concepts: vMotion, HA, DRS, and storage integration
• In-depth understanding of networking: OSI Model, TCP/IP, routing protocols, network traffic analysis, and troubleshooting techniques
• Effective communication, writing, and presentation skills, including proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Visio
• Ability to work both collaboratively in a team environment and independently on large field projects
• Experience with agile frameworks and the application of agile fundamentals in engineering work

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicants with a current, active, in-scope DoD-issued Top Secret security clearance at the time of application are strongly preferred
• Has an active VCAP - VCF Automation, Networking, Administrator, and/or Architect certification
• Active legacy certifications, such as VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) in Network Virtualization (NV) and/or in Data Center Virtualization - Design or Deploy, are also acceptable
• Experience with VMware storage solutions: vSAN, Site Recovery Manager (SRM), and storage area networks
• Knowledge of automation tools or scripting for VMware administration (PowerCLI, Python, or Ansible)
• Familiarity with hybrid cloud environments (VMware Cloud on AWS, Azure VMware Solution)
• Exposure to monitoring and reporting tools (vRealize Operations, vROps, or similar)
• Experience mentoring junior staff or leading virtualization projects
• Experience creating VM deployment templates and automating deployments
• Experience with Microsoft Windows Server and Red Hat Server for multi-user applications
• Understanding of standard DoD security practices (STIG compliance and system accreditation)
• Knowledge of authentication and encryption methods/capabilities (ACS, Active Directory, GEM-X)
• Experience with Photon OS
• Prior experience with C2BMC or similar command-and-control systems

What We Can Offer You:

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that fosters your growth, supporting both your success and the company's. The benefits at Northrop Grumman are flexible and customizable, allowing you to select options that best meet your needs and your family's. Your benefits will include the following:

• Health Plan
• Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Education Assistance
• Training and Development
• Flexible Work Arrangements

https://benefits.northropgrumman.com/us/en2/BenefitsOverview/Pages/default.aspx

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Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

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.

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.