At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative software for national defence programmes.
- Company: Join Northrop Grumman, a leader in technology solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private healthcare, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong mentorship and growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or equivalent experience in software development.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 32500 £ per year.
UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: No
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
Salary: £32,500
Programme start date: September 2027
Citizenship required: UK citizenship required
Security clearance: Security Check (SC)
Travel required: Approximately 10%
Location: Cheltenham
Working arrangement: Flexible working options subject to the role and programme needs
Hours: Full-time
Requisition ID: R10251077
What’s your possible?
At Northrop Grumman UK, you’ll be part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible. This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.
This is more than just a job. It’s a mission.
Ready to begin your software engineering career by developing technology that supports strategically important national defence programmes? As a Graduate Software Engineer, you will contribute to pioneering projects that use innovative technologies to solve complex customer challenges. Working closely with our customers and experienced engineering teams, you will help create software-centric capabilities that enable them to perform their missions successfully.
You will join collaborative Agile development teams made up of experienced engineers and early careers professionals. Depending on your project and development plan, you could work with technologies and approaches including artificial intelligence, microservices, web-oriented architectures, cloud technologies, enterprise integration patterns and open-source products.
This is an opportunity to strengthen your technical expertise, explore different areas of software engineering and contribute to work with real purpose.
Our Graduate Programme
Our structured two-year Graduate Programme is designed to help you turn your academic knowledge and coding experience into practical software engineering expertise. Starting in September 2027, the programme combines on-the-job learning with technical, professional and leadership skills development. There may also be opportunities to rotate across projects, giving you exposure to different types of work and helping you explore your technical interests.
You will have a personalised development plan agreed with your line manager, alongside support from a dedicated mentor, buddy, project lead and line manager. From the beginning, you will contribute to meaningful projects while learning from experienced software professionals.
What you’ll do:
- Design, develop and improve software that helps customers achieve their missions
- Write clear, effective code using languages such as Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++
- Work within Agile development teams to deliver high-quality software
- Apply software engineering practices across the development lifecycle
- Collaborate with colleagues to understand requirements and develop innovative solutions
- Deliver agreed requirements within appropriate timescales and help take projects through to completion
Along the way, you could develop experience in:
- Cybersecurity
- Software architecture and design
- Systems and application development
- Artificial intelligence and microservices
- Web-oriented architectures and cloud technologies
- Enterprise integration patterns and open-source products
- Agile methodologies and DevSecOps tools
What we’re looking for:
We are looking for graduates who are passionate about software development and computing, enjoy solving challenging problems and want to use technology to make a meaningful difference. You will be curious, analytical and ready to contribute within a collaborative team environment.
Essential:
- A relevant degree, achieved or on target to be achieved, such as Software Engineering or Computer Science (or can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills through work experience or other training)
- A genuine passion for software development and computing
- Experience writing code in a relevant programming language, such as Python, JavaScript, Java or C/C++
- An understanding of the software development lifecycle
- Strong analytical skills and logical reasoning
- The ability to work towards agreed requirements and timescales
- The potential to contribute to projects through to their conclusion
Desired:
- The ability to approach problems creatively and develop innovative solutions
We welcome applications from candidates who have gained relevant skills outside of traditional degree routes. If you've built your expertise through work experience, an apprenticeship, professional certifications, bootcamps, open-source contributions, or significant personal projects, then we encourage your application.
If you do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Sometimes people hesitate because they cannot tick every box. If this opportunity interests you and you believe you could grow into the role, we would like to hear from you.
Security clearance:
Due to the nature of our work, you must have Sole UK citizenship and be able to gain and maintain UK Government Security Check clearance in line with the requirements of the role.
Our recruitment team is on hand to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Contact Earlycareers@uk.ngc.com for further information.
Benefits:
- Flexible working options, including hybrid arrangements and compressed fortnights with every other Friday off
- Private healthcare, dental, life assurance and pension
- Flexible benefits package, including critical illness cover and a health cash plan
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Career development programmes
- Annual performance incentive programme
Why join us?
- A Mission to Believe In: Every day, we contribute to building a more secure and connected world.
- A Place to Belong and Thrive: Every voice matters. Find community and belonging through our employee networks and get involved with STEM volunteering events.
- Your Career, Your Way: Discover your possible through diverse roles, mentorship and development opportunities tailored to your ambitions.
Ready to apply?
Yes: Submit your application online.
Possibly: If you would like to learn more about the programme, the role or the security clearance process, contact Earlycareers@uk.ngc.com.
Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.
Graduate Software Engineer in Cheltenham employer: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. As a Lead Software Engineer, you will benefit from a flexible hybrid model, extensive mentorship opportunities, and the chance to work on impactful projects that shape the future of technology. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, Northrop Grumman UK is committed to fostering a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Software Engineer in Cheltenham
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Northrop Grumman or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Northrop Grumman.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Northrop Grumman.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Northrop Grumman that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Software Engineer in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Northrop Grumman.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Northrop Grumman and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northrop Grumman
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Northrop Grumman uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
