Principal / Sr. Principal AI Software Engineer
Northrop Grumman · Colorado Springs, CO
$137,800–$258,100from the description
Jul 23, 2026
Colorado Springs, CO
Jul 24, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
This role centers on designing and implementing reinforcement learning and supervised learning algorithms for spacecraft autonomy — covering mission planning, guidance and navigation control, anomaly detection, and delta-V/power-constrained timeline optimization. Work spans rapid Python/JAX/PyTorch prototyping through to embedded C++/CUDA deployment, plus leading Monte Carlo, hardware-in-the-loop, and digital twin verification campaigns. It suits mid-to-senior AI/ML engineers with a background in physics-based applications and hands-on algorithm development from research literature.
Senior level · 5+ years · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · Top Secret clearance · Full-time
Advertised as Principal, but the requirements read as Senior.
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Rare in this occupation — lead with these, and say what you built with them.
Most people in this occupation already list these. Still required — just not what gets you shortlisted.
What the occupation pays Median $158,337 (middle half $126,441–$180,105). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (9)
This requisition covers two levels: Level 3 (Principal) and Level 4 (Sr. Principal). The salary ranges reflect both: $137,800–$206,800 for Level 3 and $172,100–$258,100 for Level 4. The minimum experience requirement (5 years with a Bachelor's) is drawn from the Level 3 gate; Level 4 requires 8 years with a Bachelor's.
The role is advertised as 'Principal' (Level 3) or 'Sr. Principal' (Level 4) in Northrop Grumman's internal leveling, but the actual scope and experience requirements (5–8+ years, hands-on algorithm R&D, no people-management duties described) align with a Senior individual-contributor band on a standard career ladder.
Degree requirement is set to None because the JD explicitly accepts '4+ years of additional experience in lieu of a completed degree' at both levels.
The clearance gate is Top Secret at application; TS/SCI and SAP access must be obtainable but are not required to be held at start — TS/SCI is listed under Preferred Qualifications as 'Current/Active TS/SCI'.
The role is 100% onsite; candidates may be based at Dulles, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; or El Segundo, CA. The primary CBSA is reported as the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro (Dulles, VA), which is the first-listed location.
JAX and PyTorch appear together in the job responsibilities narrative ('Python/JAX/PyTorch') rather than a formal requirements section; they are captured as preferred. Python, C/C++, and CUDA are explicitly listed in the Basic Qualifications and are hard gates.
MATLAB/Simulink and Linux/Windows scripting appear only under Preferred Qualifications.
Space Flight Software appears in both Basic Qualifications (as one of three 'experience in' options alongside Embedded and Simulation Software) and in Preferred Qualifications; it is captured as a separate preferred skill reflecting the preferred section's explicit call-out.
Requires a Top 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.
Read the full posting
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