Join Northrop Grumman – Cincinnati (aka Xetron), part of Mission Systems sector, focused on the development of new capabilities for our military and intelligence customers around the globe. Our Northrop Grumman Cincinnati, Ohio small business culture operates collaboratively within a larger corporation providing the benefits of both. This unique relationship offers employees the ability to know everyone at the site while working on technologies and products that are beyond state-of-the-art. You and your team will wrestle with the next big problems in an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation, sharing your expertise while learning from the expert next to you. Remember when you were excited about getting to work because the challenge of the problem, the importance of the solution and the fun you had with your team? It's that kind of place! But don’t take my word for it. See for yourself! See why we receive comments on our YouTube Videos like “This company is insanely advanced” and “Wow. This is mind blowing.” See some of our recent Awards and Recognition and read about some of the reasons to live in Cincinnati.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Principal Hardware Test Engineer to join the System Integration & Test (SEIT) team in Cincinnati, OH. The role involves conducting comprehensive verification activities throughout the program life cycle, including requirements analysis, test procedure development, test execution, and formal reporting. This position will be 100% on-site.
Please be aware that this position will be contingent upon obtaining funding, customer approval and holding final clearances prior to start date.*
Essential Duties:
- Develop hardware test requirements and detailed integration test plans, procedures, readiness reviews (TRRs), test data, and reports.
- Execute hardware qualification testing in accordance with established requirements, plans, and procedures.
- Conduct hardware tests while managing and prioritizing problem resolution.
- Compile data to determine necessary changes in test equipment, procedures, or to establish new test requirements.
- Lead cross-functional testing (including hardware, software, and systems engineers) in both laboratory and field environments.
- Conduct formal technical reviews, such as Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) with internal stakeholders and external customers.
- Test Equipment Management that includes the design, development, or integration of specialized test equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
- Data Analysis of test data, identify anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and generate comprehensive test reports.
- Technical and operational problem solving to troubleshoot complex, multi-domain system failures (hardware/software/mechanical) and conduct root cause analyses.
- Act as the primary technical point of contact during test events, managing customer expectations and reporting results.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university with 5 years of related test experience, or a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university with 3 years of related test experience, or a PhD in a STEM discipline from an accredited university with 1 year of related test experience.
- Experience authoring hardware test procedures, managing hardware test facility interfaces, and ensuring data integrity and cataloging with general direction.
- Experience with hardware test execution, diagnostics, and formal requirement decomposition with traceability and verification with general direction.
- Strong working knowledge of standard test equipment: RF Power Meters, Frequency Generators, Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Waveform Generators, Synthesizers, Digitizers, and/or Signal Analyzers.
- Proficient in at least one of the following software packages used in hardware testing: LabVIEW, MATLAB, and Python and/or have experience with test interfaces such as: Ehternet TCP/IP, USB, GPIB, RS-232, RS-422, etc.
- Active US Government Secret Level security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
- US Citizenship is required
- Ability to work 100% onsite is required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to apply problem solving skills to provide technical hardware solutions to complex engineering test cases.
- Experience creating automated test scripts that integrate with hardware interfaces.
- Experience working with operational hazards such as overhead lifting, Thermal Chambers, and Vibration Test systems
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple, shifting priorities while maintaining safety standards.
- Demonstrated leadership of System Test efforts in a dynamic work environment.
- Experience with COMSEC material management.
- Experience engaging external customers through meetings, presentations, and technical negotiations.
- Active US Government Top Secret Level security clearance.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years related test experience, or Master's with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year
- Experience authoring hardware test procedures and managing hardware test facility interfaces
- Experience with hardware test execution, diagnostics, requirement decomposition, traceability and verification
- Working knowledge of standard test equipment (RF Power Meters, Network/Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Waveform Generators, Synthesizers, Digitizers, Signal Analyzers, Frequency Generators)
- Proficiency in at least one test software package (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) or experience with test interfaces (Ethernet TCP/IP, USB, GPIB, RS-232, RS-422)
- Active US Government Secret level security clearance or ability to obtain one
- U.S. Citizenship
- Ability to work 100% onsite
- Ability to apply problem solving to complex hardware test cases and create automated test scripts integrating hardware interfaces
- Experience with operational hazards (overhead lifting, thermal chambers, vibration test systems)
- Demonstrated leadership of system test efforts and experience engaging external customers
- Experience with COMSEC material management
- Active US Government Top Secret level security clearance
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
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.









