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Software Test Engineer (Hardware)

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Dulles, VA
Top Secret Polygraph
Career Level not specified
$91,800 - $137,600

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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.



Our Space Division builds the ground-software that enables satellite constellations, launch-day operations, and the processing of space-borne data. The software you design and sustain directly supports mission-critical capabilities that protect the nation and advance exploration.

The Software Test Engineer will develop, integrate, deploy, and sustain automated test software supporting a complex satellite ground system. The role focuses on hardware- in the- loop (HITL) and software-in the loop (SITL) testing, enabling continuous verification of mission- critical software through automated test frame works, system integration and operational validation across the software development lifecycle

This work will primarily be performed in a SCIF environment. .

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.


  • Write clean, maintainable and code that drives test hardware, orchestrates test sequences, and analyses results.
  • Build and evolve an that can be invoked from CI pipelines and run on demand.
  • Use (or a comparable tool) together with Python for UI-level test automation.
  • Maintain existing VIs that operate RF generators, spectrum analyzers, thermal chambers, and other test equipment.
  • Analyze technical and contractual requirements and synthesize detailed , , and that demonstrate full system compliance.
  • Create Bash and Python scripts for automated test activities and data-capture/reporting.
  • Participate in at customer locations, including launch-rehearsal and acceptance-test events.
  • Create, configure, and manage (VMware, KVM, etc.) that host test environments; automate provisioning, snapshot management, and teardown for nightly regression runs.
  • Work comfortably with (Red Hat Enterprise) and Windows workstations; demonstrate strong command-line, SSH, and file-permission skills.
  • Act as a self-starter capable of making decisions with overall project budget and schedule in mind.
  • Support ground-software operations and associated configurations, troubleshooting both software errors and hardware (RF test gear, thermal chambers, power supplies) that affect test execution.
  • Support Acceptance Test events, run regression suites, and provide automated-test metrics and reporting.
  • Configure test-segment software, resolve and remediate defects, and deliver enhancements per customer change requests or mission needs.
  • Provide test-software support during launch and launch-rehearsal events.
  • Other duties as assigned.




This position can be filled at either a or .


  • - Bachelor's degree in a STEM field 2 years of professional experience - or Master's degree . Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
  • - Active U.S. Government security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.
  • Demonstrated software-development experience, including , , and scripting.
  • Experience designing or executing (framework design, CI integration, regression suites).
  • Basic understanding of and hands-on experience with RF test equipment (signal generators, spectrum or network analyzers).
  • Comfortable working in environments and managing for test execution.



  • - Bachelor's degree in a STEM field 5 years of professional experience - or Master's degree 3 years - or PhD 1 years. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
  • - Active U.S. Government security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.
  • Proven track record delivering in a regulated or classified environment.
  • Advanced proficiency in , , and ; ability to write low-level drivers and high-level orchestration scripts.
  • Basic understanding of and hands-on experience with RF test equipment (signal generators, spectrum or network analyzers).
  • Expertise in system administration, VM provisioning, and CI/CD pipeline integration (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps).
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate across hardware engineering, software development, and mission-operations teams.



  • Strong preference for
  • Certified Developer demonstrated ability to replace LabVIEW functionality with -based solutions.


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.
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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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Job Category
IT - Hardware
Clearance Level
Top Secret