Senior Computer Graphics Engineer Jobs in Illinois

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available. CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes. CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret. TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time.

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.

As Northrop Grumman's Space Sector provides an arena where your passion for innovation and quest for exploration is welcome. As a Graphics Simulation Software Engineer– Level 3 or 4, your role at Dulles, VA will be pivotal in supporting mission‑critical efforts to national and global security.

A Graphics Simulation Software Engineer develops spacecraft 3D models and contributes to graphics software within the full software lifecycle. They perform graphical modeling and simulation across multiple projects using C/C++, Python, and 3D tools such as Blender. Preferred candidates have experience modeling sensors, actuators, and space environments to demonstrate closed‑loop spacecraft performance and support aerospace integration and test. Knowledge of waterfall, spiral, and Agile methods, along with CI/DevSecOps tools like Jenkins, Jira, Bitbucket, and GitLab, is also valuable.

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

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, and be involved in the full software lifecycle to develop spacecraft simulation software using state‑of‑the‑art tools and software best practices.
• Develop models to support modeling and simulation activities across multiple projects.
• Establish simulation requirements.
• Work with other engineering disciplines to integrate and validate space vehicle modeling and simulation.
• Prepare design documentation, analysis, test results, and presentation materials for internal and external customers.

In this role, engineers will also:

• Convert engineering spacecraft CAD models into optimized 3D visualizer tool models, using software such as Blender.
• Develop software interaction between the simulated spacecraft components and the 3D visualization models.
• Contribute to our ever‑expanding graphical capabilities of the spacecraft simulation architecture using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar.

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.

This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or a Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

• Bachelor's degree with 5 years of relevant professional experience – OR – Master's degree with 3 years of relevant professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of relevant professional experience. (Degree should be in Software/Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a similar technical program with a computer graphics emphasis.)
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret (TS) security clearance, current and within scope, at time of application (US citizenship required)
• 3D graphics development, using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar
• Diverse programming proficiency: C/C++, Python
• Experience building models and simulations
• Able to develop in both Windows and Linux environments

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant professional experience – OR – Master's degree with 6 years of relevant professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of relevant professional experience. (Degree should be in Software/Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a similar technical program with a computer graphics emphasis.)
• Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret (TS) security clearance, current and within scope, at time of application (US citizenship required)
• 3D graphics development, using OpenSceneGraph, OpenGL, Vulkan, or similar
• Diverse programming proficiency: C/C++, Python
• Experience building models and simulations
• Able to develop in both Windows and Linux environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• System knowledge in one or more of the following domains: Spacecraft Command & Control, Mission Planning, Space Situational Awareness and Visualization
• Hardware interfacing, integration and test and controls experience
• Agile development methodology, specifically Scrum, using Jira
• Understanding of common embedded system tools, real‑time operating systems and avionics integration and test practices
• Usage and configuration of DevOps/CI/CD technologies (Jenkins, Ansible, Docker, etc.)

Salary:

• Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
• Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.