Principal Engineer/Sr. Principal Engineer Digital-RF Subsystems I&T Lead

Posted 3 Days Ago
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Baltimore, MD, USA
In-Office
120K-224K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Lead integration and testing of digital-RF receiver/exciter subsystems, antenna systems, and related hardware in laboratory and manufacturing environments. Develop test automation and data-analysis software, troubleshoot digital and RF issues, analyze performance data, verify requirements, and support readiness reviews. Collaborate with hardware, firmware, software, controls, power, and RF teams to resolve root causes and improve designs. Senior-level candidates may delegate work and provide technical oversight to junior engineers.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

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.

The AMS E&S organization at Northrop Grumman Missions Systems in Baltimore, Maryland is seeking experienced digital and RF subsystem integration and test engineers and technical leads in the following areas:

Digital receiver/exciter and related digital-RF subsystem integration, subsystem control design, and architecture. Work is performed without appreciable direction and exercising considerable latitude in determining technical objectives of assignments. Candidates would have the ability to develop technical solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity. 

The qualified candidates will work with a diverse and talented team of engineers developing innovative and cost-effective systems that support a broad range of products and business areas across the lifecycle of a program.  Applicants should possess the ability to communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Integration of digital receiver/exciter hardware and representative lab test environments
  • Integration of new equipment and programs in a state-of-the-art facility 
  • Software development for automating test processes and data analysis 
  • Troubleshooting digital and RF issues during test of advanced antenna systems and system-on-chip designs
  • Analyzing test data and identifying early trends
  • Supporting program meetings in developing root cause and corrective actions 
  • Collaborating with design engineering for hardware, controls, and test improvements 
  • Subsystem analysis including digital architecture, signal paths, and hardware interfaces from RF front end through digital processing
  • Support for performance testing, requirements verification, and more.

In addition, this candidate should have demonstrated technical ability/leadership and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Digital-RF subsystem integration, test, and system integration
  • System-on-chip FPGA and/or front-end software design
  • Highly integrated digital-RF subsystems, antenna hardware, and receiver/exciter hardware for active electronically scanned array (AESA) systems
  • Development and verification of complex front-end and subsystem controls across systems
  • Electronic warfare, radar, or related mission-system principles and their system applications
  • Subsystem requirements (hardware and digital) derivation, flow-down, and configuration
  • Comfort creating test support applications and tools using MATLAB or similar technical computing tools
  • Conducting Test Readiness Reviews and/or Design Readiness Reviews
  • Concept of operations development for integration and test activities 
  • Executing subsystem and system level testing – both in engineering development and manufacturing environments

This role is contingent upon candidates having a current, active government Secret Clearance.

This role is contingent upon Program Award.

This is a Dual-level opening, candidates will be considered at both a level 3 (Principal Engineer) or 4 (Sr. Principal Engineer) based upon the Basic Qualifications listed below.

Basic Qualification - Principal Digital-RF Subsystems Integration & Test:

  • Must hold a Secret or Top-Secret security clearance
  • Must have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related discipline with 5 years of experience in the areas described in the job description or Master's Degree with 3 years of experience or PhD with 0 years of experience. An additional 4 years’ experience is acceptable in lieu of degree.
  • Experience using MATLAB or similar engineering analysis tools
  • Experience with digital and/or RF subsystem integration and test
  • Experience with setup and testing of hardware in a lab or benchtop environment

Basic Qualification Sr. Principal Digital-RF Subsystems Integration & Test:

  • Must hold a Secret or Top-Secret security clearance
  • Must have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related discipline with 8 years of experience in the areas described in the job description or a Masters Degree with 6 years of experience or PhD with 4 years of experience. An additional 4 years’ experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.
  • Strong experience using MATLAB or similar engineering analysis tools
  • Experience with digital and/or RF subsystem integration and test
  • Experience with setup and testing of hardware in a lab or benchtop environment
  • Ability to delegate, task, and provide technical oversight for junior engineers

Preferred Qualifications:

  • TS/SCI clearance
  • SAP clearance

Strong knowledge of:

  • Setting up lab, system integration, and digital-RF hardware test environments
  • Control architectures and control design/integration for hardware with firmware, embedded software, and ASICs

Knowledge of:

  • RF and antenna theory, including RF performance analysis
  • Python
  • VHDL/Verilog
  • C++
  • Test development experience for lab test environments and subsystem hardware
  • Experience troubleshooting digital-RF subsystems
  • Understanding of digital signal processing chains
  • Experience working with and supporting engineers across firmware, software, power, and RF test teams

Primary Level Salary Range: $119,600.00 - $179,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $149,300.00 - $223,900.00

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

  • Current Secret or Top Secret security clearance
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline with 5 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree with 3 years, or PhD with 0 years; an additional 4 years of experience may substitute for the degree
  • Experience using MATLAB or similar engineering analysis tools
  • Experience with digital and/or RF subsystem integration and testing
  • Experience setting up and testing hardware in a laboratory or benchtop environment
  • For the Sr. Principal level: bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience, master’s degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years; an additional 4 years of experience may substitute for the degree
  • For the Sr. Principal level: strong experience using MATLAB or similar engineering analysis tools
  • For the Sr. Principal level: ability to delegate, assign tasks, and provide technical oversight for junior engineers
  • TS/SCI clearance
  • SAP clearance
  • Knowledge of laboratory setup, system integration, and digital-RF hardware test environments
  • Knowledge of control architectures and control design/integration for hardware with firmware, embedded software, and ASICs
  • Knowledge of RF and antenna theory, including RF performance analysis
  • Knowledge of Python, VHDL/Verilog, and C++
  • Test development experience for laboratory test environments and subsystem hardware
  • Experience troubleshooting digital-RF subsystems
  • Understanding of digital signal-processing chains
  • Experience supporting engineers across firmware, software, power, and RF test teams

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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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.

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