2026 Associate Hardware Engineer - San Diego CA

Sorry, this job was removed at 02:16 p.m. (UTC) on Friday, Nov 06, 2026
Be an Early Applicant
San Diego, CA, USA
In-Office
69K-104K Annually
Entry level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Supports test engineering for complex communication systems at Northrop Grumman’s San Diego operations. Responsibilities involve working with RF test equipment, RF and digital hardware or software, and potentially FPGAs and VHDL. The role is full-time onsite and requires obtaining a U.S. government Secret clearance and Special Access Program eligibility. Preferred qualifications include a 3.0 GPA, advanced troubleshooting experience, and LabVIEW or TestStand experience.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.


Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies?  If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!


Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.


Northrop Grumman is seeking Associate Hardware Engineer . This position will be located at our Mission Systems sector in San Diego, CA.  


The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s San Diego Operations Test Engineering Department. The department supports the Communication Systems (CS) Business Unit and Business Unit within the Networked Information Solutions (NIS) Division of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.


Roles and Responsibilities

This position is fulltime onsite and is located at the Rancho Carmel campus in San Diego and will also support our Spectrum campus in San Diego if Secure Processing and Networking (SPAN) needed. This role reports to the Test Engineering Manager in San Diego. Our expertise is in delivering complex communications solutions to enable modern battlefields and support communications missions.


Basic Qualifications:

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

  • Be completing or has completed their degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) from an accredited institution
  • Be majoring in or having majored in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field.
  • Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
  • The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Experience with RF Test Equipment such as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, and signal generators
  • Experience with RF/Digital hardware or software
  • undefined

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
  • Experience with FPGAs, VHDL programming, advanced troubleshooting techniques
  • LABVIEW or TestStand Experience

 

Salary Range: 

$69,400 to $104,000 


campusjobs



Primary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00

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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited institution, completed or in progress
  • Major or prior major in Electrical Engineering or a related STEM field
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Ability to obtain Special Access Program access within a reasonable period
  • Experience with RF test equipment, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators
  • Experience with RF or digital hardware or software
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
  • Experience with FPGAs and VHDL programming
  • Advanced troubleshooting experience
  • LabVIEW or TestStand experience

Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
  • Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.

Northrop Grumman Insights

Similar Jobs

VCA Animal Hospitals Logo VCA Animal Hospitals

Radiologist

Pet • Professional Services
In-Office
San Diego, CA, USA
35000 Employees
200K-300K Annually

Flatiron Health Logo Flatiron Health

Medical Director

Healthtech • Software • Biotech • Pharmaceutical
Remote or Hybrid
United States
2500 Employees
206K-336K Annually

VCA Animal Hospitals Logo VCA Animal Hospitals

Surgeon

Pet • Professional Services
In-Office
Rohnert Park, CA, USA
35000 Employees
200K-300K Annually

Braze Logo Braze

Sales Operations Lead

Marketing Tech • Mobile • Software
Easy Apply
Hybrid
San Francisco, CA, USA
2000 Employees
94K-151K Annually
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

What We Do

We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Similar Companies Hiring

Ford Energy Thumbnail
Automotive • Software • Energy • Utilities • Manufacturing • Renewable Energy
Glendale, Kentucky
55 Employees
Revel Thumbnail
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
Marina Del Rey, California
70 Employees
Blee Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Marketing Tech • Software
New York, New York
33 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account