Senior DevOps Engineer

About The Company Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company committed to delivering innovative solutions that safeguard our nation and advance technological progress. With a rich history of pioneering achievements—from the first transatlantic flight to lunar landings and stealth technology—Northrop Grumman continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. Our culture fosters intellectual curiosity, diversity of thought, and a collaborative environment where bold ideas thrive. Employees at Northrop Grumman have the unique opportunity to work on revolutionary systems that impact lives worldwide, shaping the future of aerospace, defense, and space exploration. We are dedicated to attracting talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference and contributing to projects that define the future of technology and national security. About The Role Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Sector is seeking an experienced Principal or Senior Principal DevOps Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on complex, mission-critical programs supporting rapid capability development and deployment. The position can be based in Aurora, CO, Morrisville, NC, or Sacramento, CA, providing flexibility to qualified candidates. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable infrastructure and automation pipelines that support our advanced aerospace and defense systems. This role demands a proactive approach to integrating development, testing, and deployment processes, ensuring seamless continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) operations. The DevOps Engineer will collaborate closely with development teams, vendors, and IT personnel to optimize system performance, security, and reliability, contributing to the successful execution of high-stakes projects that impact national security and space exploration initiatives. Qualifications The ideal candidate must possess an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. A U.S. citizenship is mandatory. The candidate should also have an active CI Polygraph at the time of application. Educational requirements include a bachelor's degree with relevant experience or advanced degrees with fewer years of experience, as detailed below: Principal Level: Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience; 3+ years with a Master’s; or 9+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.Senior Principal Level: Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience; 6+ years with a Master’s; 4+ years with a PhD; or 12+ years of experience in lieu of a degree. The candidate must have proficiency with AWS, Kubernetes, and Terraform. Experience in Linux system administration, Agile software development frameworks, and familiarity with security protocols are essential. Additional preferred qualifications include certifications such as Security+, and expertise in areas like Kubernetes administration, AWS management, Flux, Helm, DynamoDB, NATS, and monitoring tools like Grafana, Prometheus, and Loki. Responsibilities Plan, develop, and evolve processes and infrastructure to support rapid program capability maturation and deployment.Design and implement automation pipelines integrating test-driven development, continuous integration, and continuous delivery frameworks.Establish and enforce standards for build, deployment, provisioning, and monitoring activities across projects.Ensure software configuration management (SCM), code quality, and automated testing are integrated into CI/CD pipelines.Collaborate within Agile teams to automate deployment, infrastructure management, and system monitoring processes.Create scripts and templates to automate infrastructure provisioning and operational tasks, increasing efficiency and reducing human intervention.Work closely with development teams to develop and optimize CI/CD systems that support rapid deployment cycles.Coordinate with vendors and IT support to troubleshoot and resolve infrastructure and system issues.Monitor, support, and maintain all installed systems and infrastructure components to ensure high availability and security.Develop custom scripts and automation tools to enhance system performance and operational efficiency.Participate in designing operational support systems, ensuring they meet security and performance standards.Install, configure, test, and maintain operating systems, application software, and system management tools.Oversee security protocols, backup strategies, and redundancy plans to safeguard critical systems and data.Evaluate application performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions in collaboration with development teams. Benefits Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, well-being, and financial security. Employees are eligible for health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans. The company provides life and disability insurance options, along with a robust savings plan and retirement options. Paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) allow employees to maintain work-life balance. Depending on the position, employees may also be eligible for overtime pay, shift differentials, and discretionary bonuses based on individual and company performance. Long-term incentives may be available for senior leadership roles. Northrop Grumman also emphasizes professional development and continuous learning, providing opportunities for training, certifications, and career advancement. The company fosters a collaborative environment where innovation and initiative are recognized and rewarded. Equal Opportunity Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We make 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. We value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual