Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Communications Hardware Engineer or Principal Communications Hardware Engineer to join our team of qualified individuals in our Avionics Integration Organization. This role is located onsite in Palmdale, CA.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform installation, integration, check-out, and formal testing of communications and data link systems in military flight test environments including on a flight line, in a hangar, and in Command-and-Control centers.
- Perform field troubleshooting and repair of communications and data link systems in military flight test environments including operations on a flight line, in a hangar, and in Command-and-Control centers.
- Perform and support design reviews and reviews of design related documentation such as Interface Control Documents, system and subsystem design documents, and Software Installation Procedures.
- Perform laboratory and flight test planning and execution.
- Perform change management and engineering change proposal (ECP) duties, including preparation, analysis, planning and execution.
- Support development and management of integrated schedules, earned value, risk management, and status reports & briefings and other program communications.
- This role requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
Once established in role, this position could offer a hybrid work environment. Scheduled telework days are approved at manager's discretion and are not to interfere with the production test schedule.
Basic Qualifications for Communications Hardware Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline AND 2 years of related professional/military experience; OR Master’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline AND 0 years of related professional/military experience.
- Must have experience with Team Center.
- Must have a working knowledge of US DoD Communication systems such as RT-1990s (ARC-210 Generation 5) for supporting autonomous aircraft voice systems.
- Must have experience with communications technologies such as Internet Protocol (IP) networks, Voice over IP (VoIP), Information Assurance (IA), satellite, and Line-of-Sight (LOS) radio frequency (RF) communications.
- Must have the ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Must have an active US Government Secret Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Basic Qualifications for Principal Communications Hardware Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience; OR Master’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline AND 3 years of related professional/military experience OR or a PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline 1 year of related professional/military experience.
- Must be Proficient in Team Center.
- Must have a working knowledge of US DoD Communication systems such as RT-1990s (ARC-210 Generation 5) for supporting autonomous aircraft voice systems.
- Must have experience with communications technologies such as Internet Protocol (IP) networks, Voice over IP (VoIP), Information Assurance (IA), satellite, and Line-of-Sight (LOS) radio frequency (RF) communications.
- Must have the ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Must have an active US Government Secret Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Systems Engineering with an emphasis on RF communications or computer networks.
- Working knowledge of RS-422, MIL-STD-1553, and internet protocol (IP) based networks, development and test methodologies.
- Working knowledge of US DoD Communication systems such as RT-1990s (ARC-210 Generation 5) for supporting autonomous aircraft voice systems.
- Working knowledge of Link-16 (MIDS / JTRS) and other tactical data links.
- Working knowledge of Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication systems.
- Working knowledge of Cybersecurity implementation and Risk Management Framework (RMF)
- Proficient in Team Center.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work confidently in a high-pressure environment while interacting with all levels of staff from flight-line and field technicians to executive management.
- Ability to perform duties with limited supervision, excellent initiative and attention to detail, and ability to work effectively in a team-based environment.
- Active US Government Top Secret Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 2 years related experience OR Master's in STEM with 0 years (Communications Hardware Engineer)
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 5 years related experience OR Master's in STEM with 3 years OR PhD with 1 year (Principal Communications Hardware Engineer)
- Proficient/experience with Team Center
- Working knowledge of US DoD communication systems such as RT-1990s (ARC-210 Generation 5)
- Experience with Internet Protocol (IP) networks, Voice over IP (VoIP), Information Assurance (IA), satellite, and Line-of-Sight (LOS) RF communications
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Active US Government Secret Clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Systems Engineering with RF or network emphasis
- Working knowledge of RS-422, MIL-STD-1553, and IP-based development and test methodologies
- Working knowledge of Link-16 (MIDS/JTRS) and other tactical data links
- Working knowledge of Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication systems
- Working knowledge of Cybersecurity implementation and Risk Management Framework (RMF)
- Active US Government Top Secret Clearance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to work with limited supervision
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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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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