Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is seeking a Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer with the desire to learn new technologies to join our innovative Software and Digital (SWDT) Technologies Organization to help develop, enhance and maintain software on cutting edge products and systems. This position may be based out of Linthicum, MD or Morrisville, NC.
What You’ll Get To Do:
As a Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer within the SWDT Organization you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Using the latest Digital development tools, and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The new team member will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning and a culture of automation.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Design, verification, simulation and testing of FPGAs.
Utilize modeling and simulation tools to expedite development and testing of firmware updates.
Develop test plans and implement rigorous testing and validation processes for digital designs to ensure functionality, performance and security requirements are met.
Adhere to coding standards, revision control practices, and peer review procedures.
Conduct tests using high-speed oscilloscopes, signal generators, signal analyzers, and FPGA debugging tools, and analyze test data.
Create engineering change orders and perform fundamental types of analysis (i.e. power utilization, signal integrity, etc.).
Providing support for Systems Integration and Test operations.
Lead on-site testing of digital designs.
Manage design constraints (timing, power, I/O) and perform static timing analysis to meet critical performance targets.
Use strong interpersonal skills to work effectively within a development team to understand system level interdependencies that impact circuit requirements and design constraints.
“This position may be filled as a Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer based on the qualifications listed below.”
“This position is contingent on contract award and funding.”
MR2026
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Digital Engineer:
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering (BSCE), Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or related STEM Degree with 5 years of related experience.
U.S Citizenship is required.
Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance. Secret Clearance is required to start. Must be able to maintain this level of clearance for continued employment.
Must have 5 years of experience with VHDL programming language.
Must have 5 years of experience working in schematic and programmable logic tools such as AMD/Xilinx, Vivado, Altera/Quartus, etc.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, taking initiative to complete tasks with minimal supervision while contributing to team success.
Must have 5 years of experience with firmware development: specification, design, implementation, integration, debug and maintenance.
Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Digital Engineer:
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering (BSCE), Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or related STEM Degree with 8 years of related experience.
U.S Citizenship is required.
Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance. Secret Clearance is required to start. Must be able to maintain this level of clearance for continued employment.
Must have 5 years of experience with VHDL programming language.
Must have 5 years of experience working in schematic and programmable logic tools such as AMD/Xilinx, Vivado, Altera/Quartus, etc.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, taking initiative to complete tasks with minimal supervision while contributing to team success.
Must have 5 years of experience with firmware development: specification, design, implementation, integration, debug and maintenance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering (MSCE), Electrical Engineering (MSEE) or related STEM Degree with 8+ years of related experience.
Knowledge of timing constraints and achieving timing closure.
Experience in real-time embedded firmware development knowledge of Radar, Electronic Warfare, or Space technologies.
Proficiency with schematic and programmable logic tools such as AMD/Xilinx, Vivado, Altera/Quartus, etc.
Proficiency in a Department of Defense (DoD) environment.
Ability to collaborate in a team environment.
Experience working in a lab/testing environment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field
- Five years of related experience for Principal level
- Eight years of related experience for Senior Principal level
- U.S. citizenship
- Secret security clearance required to start and ability to maintain it
- Five years of VHDL programming experience
- Five years of experience with schematic and programmable logic tools, such as AMD/Xilinx, Vivado, or Altera/Quartus
- Five years of firmware development experience covering specification, design, implementation, integration, debugging, and maintenance
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field
- Eight or more years of related experience
- Knowledge of timing constraints and timing closure
- Real-time embedded firmware experience and knowledge of radar, electronic warfare, or space technologies
- Proficiency with AMD/Xilinx, Vivado, Altera/Quartus, or similar tools
- Experience in a Department of Defense environment
- Experience working in a laboratory or testing environment
- Ability to collaborate in a team environment
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.
