Skip to main contentA logo with &quat;the muse&quat; in dark blue text.

Software Engineering Manager 1

6 days ago Cincinnati, OH

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Come join Northrop Grumman - Xetron, part of the Mission Systems sector, where we develop new capabilities for our military and intelligence customers around the globe. At Xetron we design systems that only science-fiction writers could imagine, because they're that cool!
Xetron is a small operating unit of the Northrop Grumman Corporation, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xetron is a rare example of an organization with a small business culture that is operating collaboratively with its larger parent entity. This unique relationship gives employees the chance to know everyone on site while working on cutting-edge technologies and high-impact products. You'll tackle the next generation of challenging problems, share expertise, and learn from world-class teammates. Remember when you were excited about the challenge of the problem, the importance of the solution, and the fun you had with your team? You'll experience that at Xetron! See why we receive comments on our YouTube Videos like "This company is insanely advanced" and "Wow. This is mind blowing."
We are looking for a cleared or clearable Section Manager to join our Software Engineering organization in a critical capacity. In this role you will lead a high-performing team, drive project execution, and ensure every deliverable meets the highest standards of quality and schedule.
This is a dual role position, involving functional management and software engineering. As a functional manager, you'll mentor, develop, and progress the careers of a talented team of high performing cyber software engineers. As a software engineer, you'll develop low-level software programs and provide technical leadership to your team on products that protect multi-domain intelligence and defense battlespaces - land, sea, air, cyber, and space. Many of the problem-sets our customers expect us to solve have no known solutions, so ingenuity is essential.

We prefer candidates with experience in cyber tool development, reverse engineering, and vulnerability analysis. Candidates with strong embedded software engineering experience are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates have extensive breadth and depth of knowledge in all aspects of engineering. Less experienced candidates who demonstrate high technological aptitude with a willingness and desire to learn are equally qualified for this position.

Your direct management responsibilities will include (~20% of your time):

Managing and guiding direct report engineers

Setting objectives for your team and monitoring and reviewing progress

- Being responsible and accountable for managing the workload of your direct reports

Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring top-ranked engineering talent

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Cincinnati, OH delivered to your inbox every week.

Job alert subscription

Providing timely, constructive support and feedback to your reports on a regular basis

Completing performance assessments of your team members

Motivating your team members (engagement) and facilitating regular meetings with them

Providing mentoring and career development to each team member

Coordinating training for each team member

Providing appropriate tools and resources for your team's development activities


Your software engineering leadership duties will include (~80% of your time):

Designing, writing, implementing, and maintaining low-level C code while also leveraging Python for scripting, rapid prototyping, etc.

Designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks and scripts primarily in Python, integrating them into the team's DevOps pipeline to enable continuous testing

Contributing to product documentation

Working programs, proposals, and internally funded activities in a technical (software engineering) and leadership role

Providing technical direction, guidance, and mentoring of project team members

Staffing program for optimal execution

Executing risk-mitigation planning and execution

Strategic problem solving


Basic Qualifications:

Candidate must have BS + 5 years software engineering experience, MS + 3 years software engineering experience

Demonstrated technical leadership, engineering management, and/or program management experience

US Citizenship is required

The ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance (NG will sponsor)

Preferred Qualifications:

Current, active Top Secret clearance

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Bachelor of Science Degree in Software Engineering

Experience in cyber tool development, reverse engineering, or vulnerability research

Experience as a technical lead, functional lead, or leadership in the military

Experience working on U.S. Government programs with an engineering deliverable

Experience in recruiting and developing top engineering talent

M.S., M.B.A., or other advanced degree

This position's standard work schedule is 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.
Primary Level Salary Range: $121,000.00 - $181,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making 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. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Client-provided location(s): Cincinnati, OH
Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10220518
Employment Type: OTHER
Posted: 2026-01-25T19:46:31

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • On-Site Gym
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
    • Four-Day Work Week
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Relocation Assistance
    • Financial Counseling
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    Company Videos

    Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at Northrop Grumman.