Principal / Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer - R10228193

Relocation Assistance

• Relocation assistance may be 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.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer and Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer to join our cross‑functional Northern Virginia Engineering Discipline Team! This position will be located at a Mission Systems Sector site in Chantilly, VA.

Responsibilities

• Work as a member of an agile software development test team in a challenging, dynamic, fast‑paced environment learning new tools and processes.
• Test new, mission‑critical software applications across diverse platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, Android), ensuring seamless integration with wireless services and custom hardware systems.
• Validate software requirements through functional, usability, performance, security, compatibility, ad‑hoc, internationalization, and regression tests.
• Develop, maintain, and execute test plans and procedures for software systems.
• Participate in cross‑functional team meetings, decision‑making, technical discussion, and defining new product functionality.
• Review user stories and backlog items, analyze testability of requirements, and provide feedback.
• Apply analytical and problem‑solving skills to clarify user stories and determine appropriate testing scenarios to validate the iterative development of products against functional and technical specifications.
• Timely identification of issues and effectively communicate impact to software developers, project managers, and appropriate parties to facilitate issue resolutions.
• Demonstrate software capabilities at the completion of sprints to key stakeholders to ensure solutions meet customer requirements.
• Conduct test case reviews and ensure all test activities are properly executed and documented according to our client's standards.
• Configure hardware and software test equipment.
• Troubleshoot and isolate system failures.
• Clearly identify and document defects and collaborate with the development team to prioritize bugs until resolution.
• Articulate open issues and risks to management in a timely manner and make recommendations.

Basic Qualifications – Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer

• Candidate must currently have an active Secret security clearance or higher to be considered. Secret security clearance eligibility must be in place by the start date and must stay in place through employment.
• Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or
  • Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience, or
  • PhD with 1 year of relevant experience, or
  • 9 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with diverse software and/or hardware testing methods throughout the development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and self‑manage multiple project tasks.
• Proficiency with computer hardware and software systems, and the ability to validate proper implementation and functionality between various systems and interfaces.
• Experience translating requirements and user stories into functional test plans.
• Ability to use strong analytical skills to identify, characterize and isolate issues, and troubleshoot to present options for correcting those issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to write well‑articulated test plans and facilitate product demonstrations.
• Ability to articulate and document defects in a timely manner, and collaborate with the development team and management to prioritize bugs until resolution.

Basic Qualifications – Sr. Principal Cyber Software Test Engineer

• Clearance: Candidate must currently have an active Secret security clearance or higher to be considered. Secret security clearance eligibility must be in place by the start date and must stay in place through employment.
• Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience, or
  • Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience, or
  • PhD with 4 years of relevant experience, or
  • 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with diverse software and/or hardware testing methods throughout the development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and self‑manage multiple project tasks.
• Proficiency with computer hardware and software systems, and the ability to validate proper implementation and functionality between various systems and interfaces.
• Experience translating requirements and user stories into functional test plans.
• Ability to use strong analytical skills to identify, characterize and isolate issues, and troubleshoot to present options for correcting those issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to write well‑articulated test plans and facilitate product demonstrations.
• Ability to articulate and document defects in a timely manner, and collaborate with the development team and management to prioritize bugs until resolution.

Preferred Qualifications (Both Levels)

• An active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph.
• Proficiency with writing custom automation scripts using a programming language (e.g., Python, JavaScript, etc.).
• Experience with testing mobile applications on Android devices.
• Experience with agile management software (e.g., Microsoft Azure DevOps, Jira, etc.).
• Experience with test automation to include design, development, and debugging of tests.
• Experience with test automation tools (e.g., SmartBear TestComplete) and frameworks.
• Experience with installing virtual machines.
• Familiarity with Agile Scrum methodologies.
• Familiarity with computer security measures.
• Proficiency with UNIX command lines.
• Self‑starter with the ability to pick up and learn new products with little supervision as well as provide leadership on assigned projects.
• Ability to provide testing best practices to other team members.
• Experience with providing test estimation to management and project teams.

Salary Ranges

• Primary Level: $103,600.00 – $155,400.00
• Secondary Level: $129,300.00 – $193,900.00

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.

Benefits & Additional Compensation

• Eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay (annual bonuses reward individual contributions and share company results).
• Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long‑Term Incentives.
• Health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

Application Timeline

• The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. This timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 Northrop Grumman EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.