AI Software Engineer Level 3 or 4 (AHT) at Northrop Grumman
Aurora, CO
$137,800–$258,100from the description
Aug 18, 2026
Aurora, CO
Sep 25, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
This is an AI/ML software engineering role at Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Aurora, CO, focused on building and deploying machine learning models and LLM-based agentic workflows for defense applications. The position spans two levels (L3/L4) and involves end-to-end ownership of data pipelines, model training, and production serving. It suits an experienced ML practitioner with a strong Python and statistical background who holds an active TS/SCI clearance.
Senior level · 5+ years · Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO · TS/SCI clearance · Full-time
“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
Most people in this occupation already list these. Still required — just not what gets you shortlisted.
What the occupation pays Median $114,994 (middle half $99,317–$151,203). 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 Aug 20, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (7)
The posting covers two levels simultaneously: Level 3 (5+ years with a Bachelor's, 3+ with a Master's) and Level 4 (8+ years with a Bachelor's, 6+ with a Master's). The overall years minimum reflects the lower Level 3 threshold; the upper Level 4 range reaches 8+ years. The salary ranges are also split: $137,800–$206,800 for Level 3 and $172,100–$258,100 for Level 4.
A degree is listed as required but the posting explicitly accepts '4 additional years of experience in lieu of a degree,' so the degree requirement is set to None.
An active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is a hard gate at time of application — not merely the ability to obtain one.
The role is classified as Data Scientists (15-2051) given the primary emphasis on ML fundamentals, LLMs, statistical modeling, and agentic workflows, but it carries substantial software engineering depth (production Python, containerization, CI/CD) that makes 15-1252 a credible alternative.
Prompt engineering and agentic workflow construction are listed as required but name no specific framework (e.g., LangChain), so they are captured under the broader 'LLMs' skill rather than as separate entries.
Statistical modeling, hypothesis testing, and experimental design are required but name no specific tool, so they are captured under the broader 'machine learning' skill rather than as separate entries.
Requires a TS/SCI 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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