Lead Software Engineer - Full Stack

Sr. Staff Software Engineer – Full Stack Software Discipline LeadCompany: Northrop GrummanLocation: Palmdale, CA (Flexible across Melbourne, FL; San Diego, CA; South Bay, CA; Oklahoma City, OK)Clearance: Active Secret required (TS/SCI & PAR eligible)Pay Range: $157,800 – $289,200 (Varies by location)Role OverviewAs the Full Stack Software Discipline Lead in the Software Engineering Center of Technical Excellence (CoTE), you will serve as the senior technical authority overseeing the tools, processes, training, and performance metrics across the Aeronautics Systems sector. Rather than day-to-day coding, this role focuses on architecting and sustaining an Everything-as-Code (XaC) ecosystem and establishing software governance across mission-planning, C2, and ground-based subsystems.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership: Define technical priorities, long-term software vision, and cross-program alignment across Aeronautics Systems divisions.Governance & Standards: Standardize software tools, CI/CD pipelines, digital solutions, and cross-domain/cybersecurity compliance (RMF/NIST 800-53, CDS).Community of Practice: Establish and mentor a sector-wide Software Community of Practice to drive technical excellence and software reuse.Continuous Improvement: Analyze technical performance shortfalls, perform root-cause analysis, and optimize KPIs like defect density and mean-time-to-detect.Basic QualificationsEducation & Experience: Bachelor’s in STEM with 14+ years experience, Master’s with 12+ years, or PhD with 9+ years in software engineering.Clearance: Active U.S. Government Secret clearance (in-scope) with eligibility for TS/SCI and Special Program Access (PAR).Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge in Full Stack technologies (React/TypeScript, Java/Python, REST/gRPC APIs, Cloud/Kubernetes) alongside expertise in Geospatial Engineering, Human Factors (MIL-STD-1472), or Interoperability Standards (UCI, STANAG 4586).Travel: Ability to travel up to 25%.