Northrop Grumman software engineer salary in 2026
Northrop Grumman employs thousands of software engineers across its four sectors: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. Software is embedded in every modern defense and space platform — from the B-21 Raider's mission systems to satellite ground control to autonomous vehicle algorithms.
Salary by level
| Level | Title | Experience | Base Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Software Engineer | 0–2 years | $75K–$95K |
| T2 | Software Engineer II | 2–5 years | $90K–$120K |
| T3 | Senior Software Engineer | 5–10 years | $115K–$150K |
| T4 | Staff Software Engineer | 10–15 years | $140K–$175K |
| T5 | Principal Software Engineer | 15+ years | $165K–$200K |
Total compensation adds significantly to base: NG offers an annual bonus (6-12% of base), RSU grants vesting over 3 years, and a 401(k) match up to 8% of salary.
Embedded vs enterprise software
A critical distinction in defense SWE is the type of software you work on:
Embedded/real-time software (typically +5-10% pay):
- Flight software for satellites, aircraft, and missiles
- C/C++ on real-time operating systems (VxWorks, INTEGRITY, LynxOS)
- DO-178C or NASA NPR 7150.2 compliance
- FPGA programming (VHDL/Verilog)
Enterprise/ground software:
- Satellite ground systems, command and control
- Data processing pipelines, analytics platforms
- Java, Python, cloud technologies (AWS GovCloud)
- DevSecOps and CI/CD in classified environments
Software engineers with an active TS/SCI clearance can expect 10-20% higher compensation. NG will sponsor clearances for most positions, but the investigation takes 12-18 months for Top Secret. Candidates who already hold clearance from military service or a previous role have significant leverage.
Salary by location
| Location | Sector | T2 Range | T3 Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redondo Beach, CA | Space | $105K–$130K | $130K–$165K |
| Baltimore/Linthicum, MD | Mission Systems | $100K–$125K | $125K–$155K |
| San Diego, CA | Defense | $100K–$128K | $128K–$160K |
| Melbourne, FL | Mission Systems | $88K–$115K | $112K–$145K |
| Huntsville, AL | Space/Defense | $85K–$112K | $108K–$140K |
| Colorado Springs, CO | Space | $92K–$120K | $118K–$150K |
| Roy, UT | Defense | $82K–$108K | $105K–$135K |
Comparison with commercial tech
| Factor | Northrop Grumman | FAANG/Big Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary (mid-career) | $115K–$150K | $170K–$250K |
| Total comp (mid-career) | $140K–$195K | $250K–$450K+ |
| Work hours | 40–45/week typical | 45–60+ common |
| Work-life balance | Generally good | Varies significantly |
| Remote work | Limited (clearance) | Often available |
| Job security | Very stable | Layoff cycles |
| Tech stack | Often legacy systems | Modern/cutting-edge |
| Retirement | Pension + 401k match | 401k match only |
NG can't compete on raw TC with top tech companies. But when factoring in work-life balance, job stability, pension (legacy employees), and meaningful work, the value proposition is competitive for many engineers.
One underappreciated benefit of starting at NG: after 2-3 years you'll hold a TS/SCI clearance. Many engineers use this as a career accelerator — gaining clearance at a prime, then moving to cleared startups or boutique defense tech firms that pay $180K-$220K+ base for cleared senior SWEs.
Key programs hiring SWEs
Major NG programs with significant software hiring in 2026:
- B-21 Raider: Mission systems, avionics software (Palmdale, CA; Melbourne, FL)
- GBSD/Sentinel: ICBM ground systems software (Roy, UT; Colorado Springs)
- James Webb Space Telescope: Operations software (Baltimore, MD)
- Space Development Agency satellites: Constellation management (Huntsville, AL; Redondo Beach)
- JADC2/IBCS: Battle management system (Huntsville, AL)
Interview process
- Phone screen: HR review of qualifications and clearance eligibility
- Technical phone interview: Coding and system design, usually less rigorous than FAANG
- On-site/virtual panel: 2-4 hours with the team, mixing technical and behavioral
- Offer: Usually within 2 weeks
For broader salary data, see our NG salaries overview and NG engineer salary guide. Browse openings on Northrop Grumman's company page.
