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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Test Engineer (AHT) - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Hollywood, MD, United States - **Salary:** $100,300.0 - $150,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), .NET Framework, Agile Methodology, Confluence, JIRA, Automation of Tests, C Sharp (Programming Language), Software Documentation, Communications Protocols, CompTIA Security+, Continuous Delivery, Continuous Integration, Relational Databases, Software Design Patterns, Revision Control Systems, Python (Programming Language), Windows PowerShell, Scrum Methodology, Standard Sql, SAP (Applications), Smoke Testing, Software Engineering, Product Software Implementation Methods, Software Requirements Analysis, TypeScript, YAML, Git, SC Clearance, Testcomplete, Integration Tests, Atlassian Tools, Bitbucket, Grpc, Atlassian Bamboo, Jenkins, Microservices - **Published:** August 23, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/usdc555050a9bd248afbc2c3fa11fe32e0/eaa ## About the Role Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is looking for a Principal Test Engineer based out of Hollywood, MD. Our Team works on state-of-the-art Mission Planning systems. This is a role in a large program that will support the full software product lifecycle in an Agile Scrum framework: requirement definition, estimation, integration testing, SW/HW integration, creating/updating test procedures, supporting test events, creating/updating user documentation, and customer support. The ideal candidate will be a cross-functional team player, willing to take on challenges, that collaborates with internal and external teams and that is driven to provide solutions to internal and external customers., Principal Test Engineer * Bachelor's degree in STEM and 5 years of relevant (SW development, systems test, etc.) experience, or a master's degree and 3 years relevant experience, or PhD and 0 years. Relevant years of experience in lieu of degree may be considered. * Current DoD Secret Clearance (adjudicated within the last 5 years), with ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) clearances * Experience with/using Agile Methodology and Continuous Integration (CI) / Continuous Deployment (CD) Tools (Bamboo, Jenkins) and Practices * Experience with Microsoft Windows technologies * Test procedure development and maintenance * Experience supporting/coordinating formal test events * Experience with one or more of the following scripts: yaml, Python, PowerShell, Batch, Typescript * Automated test script or test procedure development and maintenance for software testing * Experience with automated testing and test software such as TestComplete. * A functional understanding of how revision control systems (e.g., BitBucket, git, CVS, etc.) are used * Hands-on system troubleshooting skills. Preferred (Nice to Have) Qualifications: * Proficiency in C#, .NET Framework or other system/application development language * Experience with Microservice development and service communication protocols such as gRPC and/or REST * Experience with Software Design Patterns * Experience with/using Relational Databases, SQL * Experience with the Atlassian Tool Suite: Bitbucket, Jira, Confluence, Crucible/Fish-eye * Excellent communication and organizational skills; strong interpersonal and analytic skills * Knowledge within the air vehicle mission planning domain * Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements, streamline activities, and develop efficiencies. * Strong interpersonal and analytic skills; Works well in a team-environment * Experience with Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) Framework (FW) * CompTIA Security+ Certification * Active Top-Secret Clearance (adjudicated within the last 5 years) * Current SCI/SAP access ## Description * Install, test, and verify software products * Provide support for software installation * Work within a Cross-Functional scrum to develop and test high-priority mission planning features * Understand third-party software and hardware peripherals to support implementation of software interfaces and support integration * Develop software test products such as Verification Cross Reference Matrices to tie software requirements to software tests, Software Test Plans, Software Test Procedures, and Software Test Reports * Define and develop test approaches for new software and system capabilities * Compile data and define changes required in testing procedures or new testing requirements. * Perform frequent Smoke Testing and frequent Acceptance Testing on SW builds * Resolve technical issues within a scrum, across scrums, and with the support of other functional roles * Interface on a technical level with the customer * Support authoring and development of contract deliverable documentation that support deliverable software products and test events * Help define automated test strategies and implement automated tests and tools All work must be performed on-site in Hollywood, MD. ## Related Videos - [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) - [Exploring the Power of gRPC-Gateway for Writing RESTful Services](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2072-exploring-the-power-of-grpc-gateway-for-writing-restful-services) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [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) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [Should senior developers refuse interview coding challenges?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/29-should-senior-developers-refuse-interview-coding-challenges) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Why Attend a Developer Event in 2026?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/688-why-attend-a-developer-event-in-2026) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)