Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Communications Electronics Engineer (Level 2 or Level 3) to join our team either in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo) or Palmdale, CA.
The selected candidate will provide key engineering support for a communications payloads subsystem and will report directly to the subsystem engineering technical lead and program manager.
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
- Coordinating communication subsystem technical requirements to supplier management team.
- Managing suppliers to assess new technology and its viability to meet program requirements
- Conducting thorough trade studies and analyses to weigh the benefits and/or detriments of new communication hardware and software
- Collaborating with program management to build program schedules, assess risks and issues, and deliver technical recommendations to relevant stakeholders
- Addressing and correcting deliverable subsystem performance concerns via program identified tools/systems
- Identifying opportunities for deliverable system improvement and working with engineering teams to implement in accordance with approved program process
- Reporting Comms subsystem status to programmatic and technical team leadership and identifying risks/issues/concerns in order to prevent increased cost or schedule loss
- Providing direct user support, engineering expertise, and troubleshooting during test events
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is NO remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.
***This position may be filled either at the Electronics Engineer level OR at the Principal Electronics Engineer level based on the qualifications listed.***
Basic Qualifications
- Electronics Engineer: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of related engineering experience.
- Principal Engineer: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience.
- Experience in Communications and Network system integration
- Experience with RF and Network based test equipment to include oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and power meters
- Technical development and systems integration experience.
- Must have an active US Government Secret Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs
Preferred Qualifications
- Current Special Access Program access
- Supplier Management Experience
- Experience leading cross-discipline teams
- Experience with managing suppliers.
- Experience serving as a proposal estimator
- Experience in technical writing such as tech volumes & white papers
- Network training/certifications (Network+, Security+, CCNA, etc.)
- Experience with Network Encryption Devices (INE, HAIPE. etc.)
- Familiarity with common industry standards related to communications and network-based systems, such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, Ethernet (IPv4/IPv6)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 2 years of related engineering experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of related engineering experience for the Electronics Engineer level.
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience, or a Master's degree and 3 years of related engineering experience, or a PhD and 1 year of related engineering experience for the Principal Engineer level.
- Experience in communications and network system integration.
- Experience with RF and network-based test equipment, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and power meters.
- Technical development and systems integration experience.
- Active US Government Secret clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Top Secret clearance.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance within a reasonable timeframe.
- Current Special Access Program access.
- Supplier management experience.
- Experience leading cross-discipline teams.
- Experience serving as a proposal estimator.
- Technical writing experience, such as technical volumes and white papers.
- Network training or certifications such as Network+, Security+, or CCNA.
- Experience with network encryption devices such as INE and HAIPE.
- Familiarity with communications and network standards including MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, and Ethernet IPv4/IPv6.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.







