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Software Architect – Level 3 or 4

Boulder, Colorado, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

Are you a multi-talented engineer looking for your next opportunity? We support a small but mighty team that continues to innovate and set new benchmarks for our customers. If this sounds like the opportunity for you, Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector would love to have you join our team as a (level 3 or level 4) Software Architect based out of based out of Boulder, CO. 
We are looking for a versatile software developer who can bridge the gap between high-performance python applications and low-level hardware interaction. The ideal candidate thrives in collaborative, agile environments, enjoys diagnosing complex issues, and is eager to expand their skill set.

This opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.

This requisition may be filled at a higher job level based on the qualifications listed below.

This requisition may be filled as either a level 3 or level 4.

Basic Qualifications for a Level 3:

  • Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience. An additional 4 years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

  • Requires an active Secret clearance at time of application

  • Solid understanding of  the python programming language.

  • Proven understanding of CI/CD pipeline process.

  • Familiarity with version control using Bitbucket.

  • Demonstrated experience designing and delivering distributed systems

  • Proven ability to mentor engineers and communicate complex concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Basic Qualifications for a Level 4:

  • Bachelor's degree and 8 years of related experience. An additional 4 years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

  • Requires an active Secret clearance at time of application

  • Solid understanding of  the python programming language.

  • Proven understanding of CI/CD pipeline process.

  • Familiarity with version control using Bitbucket.

  • Demonstrated experience designing and delivering large‑scale, distributed systems (e.g., micro‑services, cloud‑native, event‑driven)

  • Proven ability to mentor engineers and communicate complex concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

  • CompTIA Security+ Certification.

  • Experience with RHEL Linux.

  • Experience with the Ruby language.

  • Familiarity with OpenC3 SW.

  • Hands‑on experience with container orchestration (Podman, Docker)

  • Active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary 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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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