Manager Software Engineering 1

Leads technical execution and manages 12-15 early-career software, DevOps, and AI/ML engineers. Responsibilities include coaching, hiring, staffing, performance management, employee relations, engineering-process enforcement, agile and lean improvement, and AI solution development. The manager partners with HR, customers, and internal stakeholders while supporting software engineering delivery and talent development for a cleared defense program., Northrop Grumman is seeking a forward-thinking leader to join the engineering team in Aurora, Colorado as a Functional Software Engineering Manager Level 1. The selected individual’s primary role will be in a technical execution capacity for a program performing out of Aurora while also being accountable for managing a diverse group of 12-15 early career direct reports across the SW Engineering organization (SW, DevOps, AI/ML). This dual-track role blends technical execution with people leadership and will report directly to the SW Department Manager., * Team Coaching & Development - Lead, mentor, and grow a team of software, DevOps, and AI engineers; hold regular 1:1s, staff meetings, and career-development workshops. Identify and develop top performing talent across the organization.

• Staffing & Talent Acquisition - Own the full hiring lifecycle: workforce planning, recruiting (including external hires), re-assignment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• AI Solution Development - Help identify and implement AI solutions to accelerate daily tasks, improve organizational effectiveness, and drive data-driven talent development. Drive organization-wide standardization and promote its adoption.
• Performance Management - Set clear goals, conduct performance assessments, coordinate compensation reviews, and recognize high-impact contributions.
• Process Rigor - Enforce engineering-process standards, agile/lean practices, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Employee Relations - Partner with HR Business Partner on HR matters, resolve personnel issues, and ensure compliance with corporate policies (goal setting, performance reviews, etc.).

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM related discipline and a minimum of 6 years related experience in Software Engineering, DevOps, or AI Engineering; Master’s degree and 4 years of related experience; or a PhD and 3 years of related experience
• Active Top-Secret clearance and SCI eligibility required at time of application
• Minimum of 3 years direct technical execution experience in Software Engineering, DevOps, or AI/ML related position
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong practical knowledge of Engineering Processes and Leadership
• Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate with positive outcome
• Experience working with both internal and external customers and partners

Preferred Qualifications:

• Team leadership such as IPT lead or equivalent role
• Experience with Business Development and capture-related activities
• Breadth of software engineering lifecycle experience
• Strong understanding of agile principles as well as other lean methodologies
• Experience working with system requirements and architecture
• Experience with DoD programs and processes, Manage and lead a team of algorithms/analysis and software engineers for the Advanced Space Processing portfolio. Provide functional and technical leadership across the engineering lifecycle, drive stakeholder collaboration, mentor staff, and ensure high-quality technical problem solving. Work involves OPIR/EOIR sensor simulations, missile defense domain work, occasional travel (10%), and requires an active Secret clearance to start. Top Skills: AgileCC++EoirMissile Defense SystemOpirRhelTracking And Prediction AlgorithmsUnix/Linux

Primary Level Salary Range: $133,000.00 - $199,600.00

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.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business., 41K-83K Annually Mid level 41K-83K Annually Mid level Machine Learning * Payments * Security * Software * Financial Services Provides enterprise technology support through phone, ticketing, and potentially chat channels. Troubleshoots hardware, software, network, access, and application issues; manages incidents and escalations; documents resolutions in ServiceNow or similar ITSM tools; analyzes trends and operations data; supports knowledge management, training, process improvement, and automation; and coaches junior analysts while maintaining customer service, security, and confidentiality standards., In-Office Colorado Springs, CO, USA 99K-171K Annually Senior level 99K-171K Annually Senior level Aerospace * Information Technology * Software * Cybersecurity * Design * Defense * Manufacturing Develops and maintains software requirements, architectures, algorithms, APIs, backend services, and user interfaces for SATCOM mission-planning systems. Supports Agile and DevSecOps development across design, integration, testing, and deployment, including CI/CD automation, vulnerability scanning, code reviews, and performance optimization. The role works with space and ground systems, geospatial visualization, databases, Kubernetes, and modern front-end technologies. It requires active Secret clearance, U.S. citizenship, full-time onsite work in Colorado Springs, and up to 10% travel. Top Skills: AgileC++Ci/CdDevsecopsGitlabJavaJavaScriptKubernetesNoSQLPostgresPythonSQLTypescript

What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene

With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.

Key Facts About Colorado Tech

• Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
• Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
• Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
• Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
• Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
• Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute

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.