At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative software projects and mentor a dynamic team of engineers.
- Company: Join Northrop Grumman UK, a leader in technology solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working, private healthcare, career development, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with diverse opportunities for growth and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure and shape the future of technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering with strong backend or frontend skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: Yes
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE TYPE: UK-Highest Level of Government Clearance
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
Define Possible at Northrop Grumman UK
What’s your possible? At Northrop Grumman UK, you are 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.
The Opportunity
This is more than just a job; it’s a mission. As a Principal Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and maintaining the critical infrastructure that powers our services. You will work on a variety of unique and complex projects, delivering core solutions that have real impact. You will bring strong technical leadership, guiding teams through both technical and delivery challenges while shaping solutions that meet customer needs.
What You’ll Do
- Take ownership of multiple teams’ deliverables and work with technical leads to define a path that meets customer requirements.
- Represent Northrop Grumman UK as the prime technical contact for your area.
- Collaborate with senior external partners and customers, often coordinating between organisations.
- Mentor and guide engineers to support skills development and overall team growth.
- Contribute to high‑quality technical design, development, and delivery planning.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience as a Software Engineer with strong capability in one or more of the following:
- Backend development (Java Spring Boot, Maven, Python)
- Frontend development (JavaScript/TypeScript, React, npm)
- Proven experience designing, developing, and deploying scalable backend systems.
- Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD and containerisation technologies (Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS).
- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills, ideally within an agile environment.
If you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Talent, mindset, and potential matter to us.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of our work, you must be British National for this clearance type. You must currently hold the Highest Level of UK Government security clearance.
Our recruitment team is on hand to support you and guide you through the process: talentenquiries@uk.ngc.com
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including an optional compressed fortnight
- Private healthcare
- Cash health plan
- Holiday buy/sell scheme
- Career development programmes and ongoing specialist training
- Performance‑based bonuses
- A range of wellbeing, financial, and lifestyle benefits
Why Join Us?
A Mission to Believe In Every day, we contribute to building a more secure and connected world across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. The work we do together matters.
A Place to Belong and Thrive Every voice matters. We are proud of our inclusive community and our partnerships with organisations championing diversity, mental health, and veteran careers. You can bring your authentic self to work and thrive here.
Your Career, Your Way Shape your career with diverse opportunities, mentoring, training programmes, and the flexibility to balance work and life. Your professional growth and wellbeing are at the heart of our culture.
Ready to Apply? Yes – Submit your application online. Possibly – Contact our team to learn more: talentenquiries@uk.ngc.com No – Explore other opportunities with us. We’re growing across the UK.
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.
Principal 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 Principal 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 Principal 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.
