Principal / Sr. Principal DevOps Engineer (AHT) at Northrop Grumman

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal / Sr. Principal DevOps Engineer (AHT)
Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Hollywood, MD, United States
Job Type: On-site
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: May 12, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years (Principal), 8+ years (Sr. Principal)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Create and maintain software CI/CD pipelines, set up development environments, and provide support to team members with build and installation issues.
Key Technologies: CI/CD tools (Bamboo, Jenkins), scripting (yaml, Python, PowerShell, Curl, Unix), object-oriented programming languages (C#, Java, C++), version control tools (GitHub, Bitbucket), and Windows/Linux administration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on managing software delivery pipelines and supporting team members, requiring strong technical skills and a collaborative mindset.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Pipeline Management: Create, maintain, and optimize software CI/CD pipelines to enable fast, bug-safe delivery of critical business software to production.
Environment Setup: Set up development, test, and build environments for the team, ensuring they meet project requirements and quality standards.
Team Support: Provide technical support to team members with issues related to build and installation, helping them resolve problems efficiently.
Version Control: Define and implement software version control processes, policies, and procedures to maintain multiple baseline repositories.
Installation Management: Create and update Windows installers, install, test, and verify software products, and maintain multiple baseline repositories.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of software delivery processes, version control, and team support to ensure project success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or higher degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) or related field from an ABET-accredited university.

Experience:

Principal: 5+ years of experience in DevOps engineering or software build management, or 3 years with a master's degree in a related discipline.
Sr. Principal: 8+ years of experience in DevOps engineering or software build management, or 6 years with a master's degree in a related discipline.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in DevOps engineering principles and CI/CD practices.
Experience with CI/CD tools (Bamboo, Jenkins) and scripting (yaml, Python, PowerShell, Curl, Unix).
Knowledge of object-oriented programming languages (C#, Java, C++).
Familiarity with version control tools (GitHub, Bitbucket), Jira, Confluence, SonarQube, Ansible, VisualBuild, and InstallShield.
Active DoD secret clearance, adjudicated within the last 5 years.
Ability to work on-site in Hollywood, MD.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Microsoft Windows-based applications and InstallShield, Kinook Visual Build Pro.
Familiarity with Agile and Scrum methodologies.
Software testing experience.
Proficiency in C#, .NET Framework, Java, C/C++.
Expert Windows and Linux administration, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements and develop efficiencies.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Current DoD Top Secret Clearance.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience with CI/CD tools, scripting, and version control tools through project examples.
Showcase problem-solving skills and team support through case studies or testimonials.
Highlight any relevant certifications or training in DevOps engineering or related fields.

Technical Documentation:

Document CI/CD pipeline processes, version control strategies, and troubleshooting steps for projects.
Include any relevant code snippets, scripts, or configuration files that demonstrate technical proficiency.
Prepare a portfolio presentation that showcases your understanding of software delivery processes and team support.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $137,400.00 - $206,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health Insurance Coverage
Life and Disability Insurance
Savings Plan
Company Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential overtime and shift differential based on business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Northrop Grumman operates in the aerospace and defense industry, focusing on developing and manufacturing advanced technology systems, products, and services for government and commercial customers worldwide.

Company Size: Northrop Grumman is a large corporation with approximately 90,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and career growth.

Founded: Northrop Grumman was founded in 1939, with a rich history of technological innovation and industry leadership.

Team Structure:

The DevOps team works closely with software development, quality assurance, and IT teams to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.
The team follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer value.
The team structure may include DevOps engineers, software developers, quality assurance engineers, and IT specialists.

Development Methodology:

Northrop Grumman follows Agile and Scrum methodologies for software development, emphasizing collaboration, customer feedback, and iterative improvement.
The company uses CI/CD pipelines to automate software delivery, ensuring fast, bug-safe deployment of critical business software to production.
Northrop Grumman employs various tools and technologies to support its development processes, including CI/CD tools (Bamboo, Jenkins), version control tools (GitHub, Bitbucket), and project management tools (Jira, Confluence).

Company Website: https://www.northropgrumman.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's size and industry focus provide opportunities for career growth and exposure to cutting-edge technologies in the aerospace and defense sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the DevOps engineering career path, focusing on managing software delivery pipelines and providing technical support to team members.

Reporting Structure: The DevOps engineer reports to the DevOps team lead or manager, working closely with software development, quality assurance, and IT teams to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.

Technical Impact: The DevOps engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth delivery of critical business software, collaborating with various teams to maintain high-quality software products and services.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Expand your expertise in DevOps engineering, CI/CD pipelines, and software delivery processes by working on diverse projects and collaborating with experienced team members.
Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills by mentoring junior team members, driving process improvements, and contributing to team strategy and decision-making.
Architecture & Design: Contribute to the design and architecture of software delivery pipelines, ensuring they meet project requirements and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers opportunities for technical growth, leadership development, and architecture and design contributions within the DevOps engineering career path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Northrop Grumman operates a hybrid work environment, with on-site work required for this role.

Office Location(s): Hollywood, MD, United States

Workspace Context:

The DevOps team works in a collaborative environment, with a focus on knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning.
The workspace is equipped with necessary tools and technologies to support software delivery processes, including CI/CD tools, version control tools, and project management tools.
The workspace encourages cross-functional collaboration between DevOps, software development, quality assurance, and IT teams to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, with potential overtime and shift differential based on business needs. The work schedule may include deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's hybrid work environment and collaborative workspace provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration within the DevOps team and across the organization.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your background, experience, and qualifications for the role.
Technical Assessment: A hands-on assessment of your technical skills, focusing on CI/CD pipelines, scripting, and version control tools.
Behavioral Interview: A discussion of your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager and other team members to discuss your fit for the role and the team's needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience with CI/CD tools, scripting, and version control tools through project examples and case studies.
Demonstrate your problem-solving skills and team support through testimonials and recommendations from colleagues or managers.
Prepare a portfolio presentation that showcases your understanding of software delivery processes and team support.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, scripting, and version control tools.
Practice hands-on exercises and coding challenges to demonstrate your technical proficiency.
Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability.

ATS Keywords:

DevOps Engineering
CI/CD Pipelines
Scripting (yaml, Python, PowerShell, Curl, Unix)
Version Control Tools (GitHub, Bitbucket)
Software Delivery Processes
Team Support
Problem-Solving Skills
Agile Methodologies
Windows Administration
Linux Administration

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's interview process focuses on assessing your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, with a strong emphasis on hands-on exercises and behavioral interviews.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

CI/CD Tools:

Bamboo
Jenkins

Scripting:

yaml
Python
PowerShell
Curl
Unix

Version Control Tools:

GitHub
Bitbucket

Project Management Tools:

Jira
Confluence

Operating Systems:

Windows
Linux

Databases:

Relational databases (e.g., SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL)
NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra)

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman uses a variety of tools and technologies to support its software delivery processes, with a focus on CI/CD pipelines, scripting, and version control tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Northrop Grumman Values:

Innovation: Encourage creativity and continuous improvement to drive technological advancements and industry leadership.
Performance: Deliver high-quality products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations and industry standards.
Integrity: Uphold the highest ethical standards in all business practices, ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for all stakeholders.
Teamwork: Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity, encourages knowledge sharing, and promotes cross-functional collaboration.

Collaboration Style:

Northrop Grumman emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, with a focus on knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning.
The company encourages a culture of open communication, active listening, and constructive feedback to drive team success and individual growth.
Northrop Grumman values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's values and collaboration style emphasize innovation, performance, integrity, and teamwork, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

CI/CD Pipeline Optimization: Continuously improve and optimize software delivery pipelines to ensure fast, reliable, and efficient software deployment.
Version Control Management: Maintain multiple baseline repositories and implement version control processes, policies, and procedures to ensure software integrity and traceability.
Team Support & Troubleshooting: Provide technical support to team members with build and installation issues, helping them resolve problems efficiently and effectively.
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest CI/CD tools, scripting languages, and version control tools to ensure Northrop Grumman remains at the forefront of software delivery best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Training: Participate in training programs and workshops to expand your knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, scripting, and version control tools.
Conferences & Events: Attend industry conferences and events to network with peers, learn about emerging technologies, and gain insights into best practices and trends.
Mentorship & Leadership Development: Seek mentorship opportunities from experienced team members to develop your leadership skills, architecture and design expertise, and technical proficiency.
Architecture & Design Contributions: Collaborate with team members to contribute to the design and architecture of software delivery pipelines, ensuring they meet project requirements and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman offers opportunities for technical growth, leadership development, and architecture and design contributions within the DevOps engineering career path, with a focus on continuous learning and innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

CI/CD Pipeline Design: Describe your experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines for software delivery. How do you ensure the pipelines are efficient, reliable, and scalable?
Scripting & Automation: Explain your experience with scripting and automation in the context of software delivery processes. How do you ensure scripts are maintainable, reusable, and performant?
Version Control Strategies: Discuss your approach to version control, including branching strategies, merge processes, and conflict resolution. How do you ensure software integrity and traceability?
Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving: Describe a challenging CI/CD pipeline issue you've encountered and how you resolved it. What steps did you take to diagnose the problem, and what solutions did you implement to prevent it from recurring?

Company & Culture Questions:

Northrop Grumman Culture: How do you align with Northrop Grumman's values and culture? What specific examples can you provide from your previous experiences that demonstrate your fit for our organization?
Teamwork & Collaboration: Describe your experience working in a collaborative environment. How do you contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic, and what steps do you take to ensure effective communication and knowledge sharing?
Adaptability: Northrop Grumman operates in a dynamic and evolving industry. How do you approach change and adaptability in your work, and what strategies do you employ to ensure continuous learning and growth?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

CI/CD Pipeline Demonstration: Prepare a live demonstration of a CI/CD pipeline you've designed and implemented, highlighting its efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
Scripting & Automation Showcase: Showcase your scripting and automation skills through a live coding session or a pre-recorded video, demonstrating your ability to create maintainable, reusable, and performant scripts.
Version Control Case Study: Present a case study that demonstrates your approach to version control, including branching strategies, merge processes, and conflict resolution. Highlight the software integrity and traceability achieved through your version control strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's interview process focuses on assessing your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, with a strong emphasis on hands-on exercises and behavioral interviews.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal / Sr. Principal DevOps Engineer (AHT) position at Northrop Grumman:

Submit your application through the application link provided in the job listing.
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience with CI/CD tools, scripting, and version control tools through project examples and case studies.
Tailor your resume to emphasize your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, with a focus on CI/CD pipelines, software delivery processes, and version control strategies.
Practice hands-on exercises and coding challenges to demonstrate your technical proficiency in CI/CD pipelines, scripting, and version control tools.
Research Northrop Grumman's industry, company culture, and values to ensure a strong fit for your career goals and personal values.
Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, with a focus on your alignment with Northrop Grumman's values and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Principal / Sr. Principal DevOps Engineer (AHT)