Principal/Senior Principal Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Principal Software Engineer developing clean, testable software code for Sentinel Program. Collaborating with cross-functional teams and maintaining high standards in software testing and validation.

Posted 5/28/2026full-timeRoy • Alabama, Utah • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $98,400 - $163,200 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

DockerPythonRTOS

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Python proficiency – writing clean, testable code; familiarity with virtual environments, packaging, and type hints
Real-time operating systems (RTOS) or bare-metal development basics
Hardware description/validation tools – Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, test rigs
Version control – Git (branching, sub-modules, pull-request workflow)
Using communication protocols (Modbus, MQTT, OPC?UA) to bridge software services and devices
Unit/Component testing – pytest, unittest, hypothesis for pure-Python modules
Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing – automated scripts that program devices, run stimulus, capture response, and assert results
System-level testing – Robot Framework, TestStand, or custom Python harnesses that coordinate multiple subsystems
Containerizing test environments (Docker) for simulation and host-side tools
Managing artifact repositories for firmware binaries (Artifactory, Nexus)
Agile/Scrum or Kanban for cross-functional teams
Strong analytical debugging – ability to trace issues from software logs down to signal integrity on a PCB
Clear communication with Software Engineers
Documentation discipline –test procedures, and release notes

Requirements

What you’ll need

T03- Bachelors in Science with 5 years of experience, Masters in Science with 3 years of experience, PhD with 1 years of experience or 04 additional years in lieu of a degree.
T04 Sr. Principal Software Test Engineer- Bachelors in Science with 8 years of experience, Masters in Science with 6 years of experience, PhD with 4 years of experience or 04 additional years in lieu of a degree.
Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with an ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business need
Experience with Agile and working in a cross-function Scrum team. Experience with IBM Rational tool suite (DOORS and Jazz)
Experience using software test automation tools/frameworks
Experience with code analysis tools
Experience developing ICDs and defining interfaces in an MBSE environment
Familiarity with CSSAM / RVAM Governance

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
401k
Educational Assistance
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
Paid Time Off
Health & Wellness Resources
Employee Discounts

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Pythonreal-time operating systemsunit testingcomponent testinghardware-in-the-loop testingsystem-level testingcontainerizationAgileScrumdebugging

Soft Skills

clear communicationanalytical skillsdocumentation discipline

Certifications

U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearanceSpecial Access Program (SAP) approval