Software Engineer (lead Python programming) – Level 4

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Fairfax
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Polygraph TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time 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. Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. This Software Engineer (lead Python programming) – Level 4 role will sit at our Fairfax, VA location. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work . This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. This role will lead a small team of software developers to advance a new tool that simulates data flow through a network of satellites and ground stations. This role will work with large datasets from various sources to develop software that characterizes and predicts the impacts of the atmosphere on various missions and integrates communications network traffic solutions to optimize data flow through the system. The work will include complex algorithm development for software that contains logical and mathematical solutions to quantify and optimize operational decision-making and mission performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong object-oriented python programming skills and attributes that include collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. The candidate should place a high value on rigorous testing, comprehensive documentation, and the maintainability of the software solutions. The ideal candidate will also have experience with satellite systems and networking. Key Responsibilities Contribute to architecture decisions by evaluating the pros and cons of approaches and technologies, and how they align with the project's goals and requirements. Design and implement new software or modify existing software to add new features Identify and fix bugs in the code, while considering greater impact on the software application as a whole Develop tests that verify the correctness of the code and ensure it meets system requirements Design, develop, and modify software pipelines and deployment methods to automate the software development process, ensuring consistency and efficiency. Collaborate with other teams, such as network specialists, to ensure that the simulation software properly models relevant parameters. Lead, mentor, and task less experienced software developers to create software capability Support and deliver technical updates to Government customer. Leads effort to transfer existing software tools and datasets from an Unclassified to a Classified environment This position is contingent upon clearance verification and transfer to the NG sponsored program as well as continued ability to maintain required clearance level. US Citizenship is required. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work . This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. Basic Qualifications ( must have to be considered ) Requires an active Top-Secret (TS)/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance [ TS/SCI ] AND an adjudicated Counterintelligence polygraph ( CI Poly ) at time of application Level 4 : (Senior Principal level) Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of software development experience An additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a completed Bachelor’s Master’s degree with 6 years of software development experience PhD with 4 years of software development experience Proven experience programming within Python for a minimum of 3 years at a senior level. Experience in software architecture design patterns. Experience with Version Control practices (Gitlab Preferred). Preferred Qualifications ( not required but preferred ) STEM degree Experience with networking Experience with developing or using containerized software Experience with DevOps fundamentals and the maintenance of software pipelines Experience with productizing software solutions Experience leading junior software developers Experience with satellite network management and traffic topology Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site. Northrop Grumman Total Rewards LI-VP1 Primary 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. 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Dale City , Software Engineer (lead Python programming) – Level 4, IT / Software / Systems , Fairfax, Virginia