Principal DevOps Engineer for Sentinel Program

About The Company

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security and aerospace company dedicated to providing innovative solutions that safeguard people, assets, and information. With a rich history of pioneering advancements in technology, Northrop Grumman has played a vital role in shaping the future of defense, space, and cybersecurity. The company fosters a culture of ingenuity, collaboration, and integrity, committed to delivering mission-critical systems that make a difference worldwide. Employees are empowered to think boldly, challenge the status quo, and contribute to groundbreaking projects that impact national security and technological progress.

About The Role

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a highly skilled Principal DevOps Engineer to join our dynamic team supporting the Sentinel program. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge defense systems, contributing to national security initiatives. The role is based in either Huntsville, Alabama, or Roy, Utah, and involves engaging in complex DevOps tasks, including automation, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and cloud infrastructure management. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable, secure, and efficient DevOps solutions that meet the rigorous standards of defense technology projects. The position requires a proactive mindset, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a strong educational background in a STEM field, with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of experience in DevOps engineering is required, with advanced degrees providing additional flexibility. U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Secret clearance with a recent reinvestigation are mandatory, along with the ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP). Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in build tools such as Maven, Ant, or GNU Make, and experience with CI/CD platforms like Jenkins, GitLab, or Bamboo. Proficiency in Linux and Windows operating systems, scripting languages (Python, Bash, PERL, YAML), and container technologies (Kubernetes, Docker) is essential. Familiarity with virtualization tools such as VMware Cloud Foundation, Terraform, vCenter, and vSphere, as well as experience in implementing and managing cloud-based solutions, will be highly valued. Candidates should also hold an IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+ CE) or be able to obtain it within six months.

Responsibilities

The Principal DevOps Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated build and deployment pipelines to support the Sentinel program. This includes managing source code repositories, integrating security practices into CI/CD workflows, and ensuring system reliability and scalability. The role involves collaborating with software developers, system engineers, and security teams to implement infrastructure as code, automate testing procedures, and optimize cloud and on-premise environments. The engineer will also be tasked with implementing container orchestration solutions using Kubernetes, managing virtualized environments with VMware, and ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards such as NIST and RMF. Additionally, the candidate will provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior team members, participate in system requirements analysis, and support the continuous improvement of DevOps processes. Regular communication with stakeholders to report progress, troubleshoot issues, and recommend enhancements is a key part of the role.

Benefits

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and professional growth. Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with a 401(k) retirement plan featuring company matching contributions. The company also provides educational assistance programs to support ongoing learning and development, life insurance, employee assistance programs, and work/life balance resources. Paid time off includes vacation, holidays, and personal days, ensuring employees have time to recharge. Additional perks include health and wellness resources, employee discounts, and competitive pay. The standard work schedule is a 9/80, allowing employees to enjoy every other Friday off, providing flexibility and work-life balance. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates, supporting a smooth transition to the new work location.

Equal Opportunity

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. The company makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and the company ensures fair treatment throughout the hiring process. For more information on our equal opportunity policies and pay transparency, please visit our official statements. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions involving government or security clearances.