Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer or a Sr Principal Systems Engineer with a Signal Processing background to work in Sacramento, California. Join a team that develops transformative signal processing solutions to solve complex challenges in Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Your work will contribute to real-world national security initiatives. We offer a wide variety of professional development opportunities, mentorship by senior engineers, and access to cutting-edge tools and technologies like Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for deployment of advanced signal processing algorithms.
The engineer will be expected to have a basic understanding of core communications systems engineering concepts from their electrical engineering degree to perform analysis, devise requirements for and implement the signal processing algorithms.
Responsibilities:
Perform architecture trades, design analysis, and performance modeling
Provide engineering support for hardware development efforts.
Design detection and characterization algorithms for Radio Frequency communication signals
Implement detection and characterization algorithms
Test signal processing algorithms and receivers in a lab environment.
Design, test, and produce detection, characterization, and geolocation algorithms.
Support the deployment of core products on new platforms (e.g., manned aircraft, drones, ships, etc.).
This position can be filled at the level 3 Principal or Level 4 Senior Principal based on specific requirements listed below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Engineer Level 3:
BS degree in STEM with 5 years relevant experience; or MS degree in STEM field with 3 years of related experience; or PhD in STEM field with 1 year of related experience
Domain Expertise: Understanding tactical SIGINT operations, military capabilities, and geolocation concepts.
Requirements Translation: Ability to convert complex operational needs into technical system requirements
DSP Fundamentals: Understanding of modulation/demodulation, FFT/spectral analysis, filtering (FIR/IIR), resampling, channelization, and detection/estimation theory.
SIGINT/RF Fundamentals: Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR), RF front-ends, IQ data, geolocation techniques (DF/beamforming), and signal characterization
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance
Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal Systems Engineer Level 4:
BS in STEM degree with 8 years relevant experience; or MS degree in a STEM field with 6 years of related experience; or PhD in STEM field with 3 years of related experience
Domain Expertise: Understanding tactical SIGINT operations, military capabilities, and geolocation concepts.
Requirements Translation: Ability to convert complex operational needs into technical system requirements
DSP Fundamentals: Understanding of modulation/demodulation, FFT/spectral analysis, filtering (FIR/IIR), resampling, channelization, and detection/estimation theory.
SIGINT/RF Expertise: Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR), RF front-ends, IQ data, geolocation techniques (DF/beamforming), and signal characterization
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)
Practical experience or coursework in programming languages such as C++, Rust, or Python.
Experience with simulating and processing RF communications in GNU Radio.
Agile/DevOps: Experience in Agile software development and containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes for deploying SIGINT applications
GPU Acceleration: Demonstrated experience with CUDA for algorithm optimization
Active TS with SCI clearance
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What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your
growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the
flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including
Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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
- BS in STEM with 5 years (Level 3) or BS in STEM with 8 years (Level 4); or MS/PhD with reduced years as listed
- Understanding tactical SIGINT operations, military capabilities, and geolocation concepts
- Ability to convert complex operational needs into technical system requirements
- DSP fundamentals: modulation/demodulation, FFT/spectral analysis, FIR/IIR filtering, resampling, channelization, detection/estimation theory
- SIGINT/RF fundamentals: Software Defined Radios (SDR), RF front-ends, IQ data, geolocation techniques (DF/beamforming), signal characterization
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance
- Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)
- Practical experience or coursework in C++, Rust, or Python
- Experience simulating and processing RF communications in GNU Radio
- Experience in Agile/DevOps and containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes
- GPU acceleration experience, e.g., CUDA for algorithm optimization
- Active Top Secret with SCI 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.
