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Posted June 12, 2026
Northrop Grumman

Software Engineer - Level 3 (X-Lab) (26-284) - R10236119

Colorado Springs, CO, US Full Time
$103600 - $155400
Reference: R10236119

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: No

Description

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 (X-Lab) (26-284) to join our team of skilled and diverse professionals. Based at Schriever Space Force Base, 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 a key component 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 strategic, regional, and operational levels to systematically plan ballistic missile defense operations, collectively monitor the battle, and dynamically control networked sensors and weapon systems to achieve global and regional mission goals. C2BMC supports layered missile defense capabilities that enable an optimized response to threats across all ranges and flight phases. It serves as a force multiplier by networking, integrating, and synchronizing autonomous sensor and weapon systems and operations, both globally and regionally, to improve performance. C2BMC is essential for all ground and flight tests that verify and demonstrate the current and future capabilities of missile defense systems.

The Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications Experimentation Laboratory (C2BMC X-Lab) is a fast-paced, dynamic environment. The X-Lab develops and integrates future-capability prototypes for the Missile Defense System, including Sensor/Weapon Integration, Algorithm Development, User Interface Development, and other critical, leading-edge missile defense technologies.  The X-Lab is responsible for developing and integrating future-capability prototypes for the Missile Defense System, including Sensor/Weapon Integration, Algorithm Development, User Interface Development, and other critical, leading-edge missile defense technologies.

Essential Functions:

  • Responsibility involves working as a mid-level member of the X-Lab software development team to create and test innovative solutions that support X-Lab projects and experiments

  • Engage with others effectively through strong verbal and written communication skills

  • Work alone or collaborate in small groups

  • Adapt to a highly dynamic and constantly evolving environment

  • Perform complex problem resolution, design, development, testing, integration, and user support for a large codebase

  • Follow specifications to develop or modify functionality in the code

  • Assist with design, benchmarking, testing, debugging, and documentation

  • Interface with other system support groups to resolve problems, set standards, and improve the system's overall efficiency

  • Design, code, test, and implement tools for automation

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, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field from an accredited university, along with 5 years of experience; or a Master’s degree (preferred) 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+ CE, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, 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

  • Responsible for software development using Java

  • Provide in-depth analysis and technical support for a large, distributed system written in Java

  • This position is full-time and on-site at the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center (MDIOC) at Schriever SFB, CO, and is not a remote work position. Non-standard work hours are likely during event execution

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in some or all of these areas is preferred:

  • Command and control system application development

  • Experience using message translation software

  • Experience in developing automated tests and pipelines

  • Experience with software integration testing, including developing automated test scripts

  • Prior experience designing and developing microservices and deploying them with containers

  • Experience setting up a container environment

  • Understanding of systems engineering, systems design, and development

  • Ability to clearly document activities and write project plans and summary reports

What We Can Offer You:

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that encourages your growth, benefiting both employees and the company. The benefits are flexible and customizable, enabling you to choose options that suit your individual and family needs. 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.

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