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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer (Level 4) - AHT - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Redondo Beach, CA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $142,200.0 - $213,400.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Apache ActiveMQ, Amazon Web Services, Application Integration Architecture, Systems Engineering, Automation of Tests, Unit Testing, Microsoft Azure, C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Computing Security, CMake, Configuration Management, Code Coverage, Software Quality, Code Review, Computer Programming, Software Debugging, Software Design Patterns, DevOps, Gradle, Identity and Access Management, Iterative and Incremental Development, Junit, Python (Programming Language), Key Management, 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, Google Cloud, Cloud Platform System, 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/9080830/software-engineer-level-4-aht ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of software engineering experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 6+ years of experience, or a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience. * Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance at the time of application, with the ability to obtain Special Program Access within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. * Strong programming skills in at least one of the following: Java or Python. * Hands-on experience designing and developing containerized applications (e.g., Docker) for deployment to a private cloud environment. * Practical 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). * Understanding of secure coding practices and basic cloud security concepts (authentication/authorization, secrets management, TLS)., * Active U.S. Government Top Secret/SCI 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). * Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP) or an equivalent internal cloud platform (networking, storage, IAM, logging, monitoring). * Background in microservices architecture and patterns (service discovery, configuration management, circuit breakers, API gateways). * Exposure to data streaming/processing frameworks (Kafka Streams, NATS, ActiveMQ, or similar). * Knowledge of software design patterns and modern architectural practices. * Experience working in multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting large system integrations. * Experience developing clean, secure code (e.g., Sonar scans, unit tests, code coverage, Fortify). * Experience with container orchestration platforms (preferably Kubernetes, OpenShift, or similar). ## Description *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. Job responsibilities of the Software Engineer (Level 4) include, but are not limited to, the following: * Work in an agile or iterative development environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems engineers, DevOps, test, data engineers). * 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). * 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. * 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) - [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) - [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) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [Why Upskilling And Reskilling is Important For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/428-why-upskilling-and-reskilling-is-important-for-developers) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)