> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1945785-software-engineer-level-2-or-3-aht](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1945785-software-engineer-level-2-or-3-aht). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer (Level 2 or 3) - AHT - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Redondo Beach, CA, United States - **Salary:** $91,800.0 - $137,600.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Integration Architecture, Systems Engineering, Automation of Tests, Unit Testing, C++ (Programming Language), CMake, Configuration Management, Code Coverage, Software Quality, Code Review, Computer Programming, Software Debugging, Software Design Patterns, DevOps, Distributed Systems, Fault Tolerance, Gradle, Iterative and Incremental Development, Junit, Python (Programming Language), Linux System Administration, Apache Maven, OpenShift, Fortify (Software), Secure Coding, Service Discovery, Shell Script, Software Engineering, Software Systems, SONAR (Symantec), Data Streaming, Systems Integration, Private Cloud Environment, Data Logging, Real Time Systems, Backend, Git, Event Driven Architecture, Pytest, Containerization, Git Flow, Testcomplete, Integration Tests, Kubernetes, Apache Kafka, Build Tools, Api Gateway, Restful APIs, Stream Processing, Software Version Control, Docker, Microservices - **Published:** August 6, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9080831/software-engineer-level-2-or-3-aht ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 2+ years of software engineering experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 0+ years of experience. * Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance and SCI clearance within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter is contingent upon the candidate maintaining the required level of clearance and program access for the position. * Strong programming skills in at least one of: Java, Python, or C++; ability to read and debug the others is a plus. * Prior work experience integrating applications with Apache Kafka or other distributed messaging/streaming platforms (producers, consumers, topics, partitions, consumer groups). * Experience building RESTful APIs and/or microservices that integrate with backend data sources. * Proficiency with Linux environments and shell scripting. * Experience with build tools (e.g., Maven/Gradle for Java, CMake for C++, or equivalent). * Familiarity with source control and branching strategies (Git, Git workflows)., * Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of software engineering experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 3+ years of stated experience, or a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with 1+ years of stated experience. * Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance and SCI clearance within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter is contingent upon the candidate maintaining the required level of clearance and program access for the position. * Strong programming skills in at least one of: Java, Python, or C++; ability to read and debug the others is a plus. * Prior work experience integrating applications with Apache Kafka or other distributed messaging/streaming platforms (producers, consumers, topics, partitions, consumer groups). * Experience building RESTful APIs and/or microservices that integrate with backend data sources. * Proficiency with Linux environments and shell scripting. * Experience with build tools (e.g., Maven/Gradle for Java, CMake for C++, or equivalent). * Familiarity with source control and branching strategies (Git, Git workflows). Preferred Qualifications * Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance. * Experience with mission-critical or real-time systems, ideally in space mission planning domains. * Experience designing event-driven architectures using Kafka (schema design, message contracts, error handling, replay patterns, stream processing). * Background in microservices architecture and patterns (service discovery, configuration management, circuit breakers, API gateways). * Knowledge of software design patterns and modern architectural practices. * Experience working in multi-disciplinary engineering teams supporting large system integrations. * Experience developing clean, secure code (e.g., Sonar scans, unit tests, code coverage, Fortify). * Hands-on experience designing and developing containerized applications (e.g., Docker) for deployment to a private cloud environment. * Experience with container orchestration platforms (preferably Kubernetes, OpenShift, or similar). * Solid understanding of distributed systems concepts, including scalability, resiliency, fault tolerance, and observability. *Please be aware that this position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future. ## Description * Work in an agile or iterative development environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems engineers, DevOps, test, data engineers). * Design, implement, and integrate containerized software components for a space mission planning system. * Integrate mission planning services with Kafka-based backend data streams, ensuring reliability and scalability. * Collaborate with systems engineers to understand mission planning requirements and translate them into robust software solutions. * Implement and maintain cloud-deployed services, including monitoring, logging, and alerting. * Participate in code reviews, test automation efforts, and continuous improvement of development and integration practices. * Troubleshoot and resolve issues across application, container, and cloud layers. * Maintain a strong focus on software quality, including unit testing, integration testing, code reviews, and use of test frameworks (e.g., JUnit, pytest, GoogleTest, TestComplete). * Demonstrate strong problem-solving, debugging, and communication skills. ## Related Videos - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [How Unit Testing Saved My Career](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1642-how-unit-testing-saved-my-career) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) - [From boy scouting to redrawing the landscape](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1140-from-boy-scouting-to-redrawing-the-landscape) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) ## Related Articles - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer)