Software Engineer - Level 3 or 4 (Mathematician) at Northrop Grumman
Boulder, CO
$114,000–$213,400from the description
Aug 4, 2026
Boulder, CO
Sep 24, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
This on-site role in Boulder, CO supports an autonomous distributed tracking system within Northrop Grumman's Advanced Programs group. The engineer will analyze and develop tracking and state estimation algorithms, write modern C++ and Python tooling, and contribute to technical documentation and customer presentations. The position suits a mathematically strong software developer with a background in stochastic processes, Kalman filtering, or related estimation theory.
Senior level · 5+ years · Boulder, CO · Secret clearance · Full-time
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
Why we read it this way (6)
The posting is dual-leveled: Level 3 (Principal Software Engineer, $114K–$171K, minimum 5 years with a Bachelor's) and Level 4 (Sr. Principal Software Engineer, $142.2K–$213.4K, minimum 8 years with a Bachelor's). The salary range shown spans both levels combined. Total experience minimum is reported as 5 years (the lower gate).
An active DoD Secret clearance is required to start; the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance is also required. The clearance gate is Secret for start.
All skills — including C++, Python, Linux, and all mathematical domains — appear exclusively under the 'Preferred Qualifications' heading. No technology or domain is listed under a hard-requirements section, so all skills are marked preferred.
A STEM Bachelor's degree is described as 'preferred from an accredited university,' not strictly required; equivalent experience combinations (Master's + fewer years, PhD + fewer years) are offered as alternatives, so no minimum degree is hard-gated.
The role is described as a hybrid mathematician/algorithms developer/software engineer; the alt SOC 15-2051 (Data Scientists) reflects the heavy mathematical and algorithm-analysis emphasis, though software development (C++/Python tooling) is the primary deliverable.
Requires a Secret clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.
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