Staff Embedded Software Engineer
Northrop Grumman · Baltimore, MD
$169,000–$253,600from the description
Jul 15, 2026
Baltimore, MD
Jul 20, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
This role leads a cross-functional embedded software engineering team through a program's Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, with responsibility for budget management using Earned Value Management, staffing, scheduling, and stakeholder reporting. The position sits within a defense-focused software organization and requires deep hands-on background in real-time embedded software alongside formal project controls experience. It suits a senior technical leader comfortable bridging engineering execution and program management on classified defense programs.
Staff level · 12+ years · National · Bachelor's required · 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 (9)
The role is titled 'Staff Embedded Software Engineer IPT Lead' and carries explicit people-management, cost-account management (CAM/EVMS), and cross-functional team leadership responsibilities — placing it at the boundary between a senior IC (15-1252) and an engineering manager (11-3021). 11-3021 was chosen as primary because the JD's dominant duties are leading a cross-discipline team, managing budgets/schedules, staffing, and serving as the customer interface, rather than hands-on software development.
The role is explicitly contingent on contract award and funding.
An active DoD Secret clearance is required to start; candidates must also be able to obtain Special Program Access (SAP) prior to starting.
The 12-year minimum reflects the Bachelor's-degree path; Master's (10 yrs) and Ph.D. (8 yrs) paths are also accepted.
Jira is listed in the responsibilities section (managing Jira boards) rather than a formal requirements block, but it is framed as a direct job duty rather than optional context.
Agile, DevSecOps, and Model-based Engineering appear in the role narrative as the team's operating framework and are treated as hard gates given the nature of the IPT Lead role.
The Atlassian tool suite and advanced MS Excel skills appear only under Preferred Qualifications.
Ignored 2 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): real-time embedded software, Model-based Engineering.
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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