Embedded Software Engineer: RTCIL/HWIL (Secret) – Level 3 (Chandler)

Description

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Embedded Software Engineer – Level 3 to join our team in Chandler, AZ.

This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

In this role, you will lead the design, development, and integration of Real Time Computer In the Loop (RTCIL) and Hardware In the Loop (HWIL) test laboratories that validate flight software, GPU based scene generation, and sensor injection capabilities for the Glide Phase Interceptor program. This role blends embedded C/C++ development with high‑performance GPU coding and 6‑DoF real‑time simulation to ensure mission‑critical systems meet stringent performance and security requirements.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Your Role and Impact:

• Design, develop, and integrate test‑equipment hardware and software architectures for real‑time computer‑in‑the‑loop (RTCIL) and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HWIL) laboratories.
• Build RTCIL test rigs that inject distorted sensor scenes into flight hardware in real time, enabling “test‑as‑you‑fly” validation.
• Develop GPU‑accelerated software to generate realistic flight‑condition scenarios and feed them into the real‑time simulation loop.
• Ensure all code and system designs comply with Northrop Grumman software standards and DoD security requirements.
• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams—including propulsion, avionics, simulation, and test engineering—in an Agile environment to drive timely delivery and integration.
• Lead the verification and startup of full‑scale HWIL setups, connecting actual flight hardware to the simulated environment for end‑to‑end testing.
• Other duties as assigned

Why This Role Matters

• RTCIL enables the flight computer to run its own software in a deterministic, real‑time loop while receiving simulated sensor data, allowing early verification of algorithms before hardware is available.
• HWIL incorporates actual avionics hardware into the same loop, providing end‑to‑end validation of the complete flight‑control chain, including power, timing, and interface behavior.

Together, RTCIL and HWIL form a closed‑loop test ecosystem that dramatically reduces risk, accelerates development, and ensures the Glide Phase Interceptor meets its stringent performance requirements.

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience outside of internships, research, etc.  Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Proficient in C, C++, C# and/or Java on Linux and/or Windows platforms.
• Hands‑on experience designing, integrating, and testing real‑time computer‑in‑the‑loop (RTCIL) and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HWIL) laboratories.
• Familiarity with 6‑DoF simulation and the integration of 6‑DoF models into a real‑time environment for “test‑as‑you‑fly” scenarios.
• GPU development experience for real‑time constrained scene generation (e.g., IR, visual, synthetic sensor data).

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience developing interfaces for weapon‑system integration.
• Direct work with IR scene injection into embedded flight firmware for real‑time processing.
• Proven track record working in Agile teams and delivering incremental, test‑driven value.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

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