Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Full-Time 80200 - 120400 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Northrop Grumman

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 80200 - 120400 £ per year.

UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: Yes

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

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.

Salary: £80,200 - £120,400

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 employer: Northrop Grumman

    At Northrop Grumman UK, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, making us an exceptional employer for Principal Software Engineers. With flexible working options, comprehensive career development programmes, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in shaping the future of technology while contributing to meaningful projects that make a real impact on society.
    Northrop Grumman

    Contact Detail:

    Northrop Grumman Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Northrop Grumman UK on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can confidently discuss your experience with backend development and DevOps tools. Practice common interview questions and have examples ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Show your passion for innovation! During interviews, share your thoughts on future tech trends and how they could impact the industry. This will demonstrate your forward-thinking mindset and align with Northrop Grumman's mission of defining possible.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Northrop Grumman UK.

    We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer

    Backend Development (Java Spring Boot, Maven, Python)
    Frontend Development (JavaScript/TypeScript, React, npm)
    Designing Scalable Backend Systems
    DevOps
    CI/CD
    Containerisation Technologies (Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS)
    Technical Leadership
    Communication Skills
    Collaboration Skills
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Agile Methodologies
    Mentoring and Coaching
    Technical Design
    Delivery Planning

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Software Engineer role. Highlight your backend and frontend development experience, as well as any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can define possible with us!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with DevOps and agile environments – we love that stuff!

    Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. Whether it's a personal project or something from your previous job, we want to see your technical prowess and creativity in action!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to our recruitment team, who are eager to help you through the process!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Northrop Grumman

    ✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

    As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll need to showcase your expertise in backend and frontend technologies. Brush up on Java Spring Boot, Python, and React, and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Prepare to explain how you've tackled complex problems and delivered scalable solutions.

    ✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

    This role requires strong technical leadership, so think about examples where you've guided teams through challenges. Be prepared to share your mentoring experiences and how you've contributed to team growth. Highlight your ability to collaborate with both internal teams and external partners.

    ✨Understand the Company’s Mission

    Familiarise yourself with Northrop Grumman's mission and values. They’re looking for candidates who resonate with their goal of building a secure and connected world. Show that you understand how your role as a Principal Software Engineer fits into this larger picture and how you can contribute.

    ✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

    Expect questions that assess your problem-solving and communication skills, especially in an agile environment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated challenges or conflicts in a team setting.

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