Principal / Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer

Posted 7 Days Ago
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Rolling Meadows, IL, USA
In-Office
109K-204K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Lead design, integration, test, and sustainment of airborne RF/RADAR and electronic warfare systems. Troubleshoot field failures, develop V&V plans, produce engineering documentation, mentor junior engineers, and coordinate with suppliers and USAF customers to ensure system readiness and transition to production.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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 successful candidate will join Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems (DS) Specialized Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems (STEWS) team in Rolling Meadows, IL. The role focuses on the development, testing, and sustainment of legacy and advanced electronic systems for U.S. Air Force platforms, including RF microwave airborne RADAR, infrared (IR) sensors, laboratory test stations, and transportable flightline electronic warfare combat test sets.

Our team provides sustainment support for the US Air Force platforms. Our team members complete engineering, reverse engineering, and logistics solution efforts to solve complex obsolescence problems and ensure warfighter training, combat and supportability.

You will support execution of various program activities to include test system design and evaluation, design and development of RF systems and components, radar, power and/or electrical systems architecture, components, circuits, and products for aircraft and flight line. The position will research, develop, design, and test electrical components, perform equipment, systems, and design evaluations and provide general engineering support for defense or commercial systems.

The role demands hands‑on troubleshooting of field failures, supplier coordination, and the ability to mentor junior engineers while interfacing with customers and program leadership.

Roles and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead or support system integration activities, coordinating with cross‑functional teams to deliver end‑to‑end system functionality.

  • Design, develop, integrate, test, and deploy hardware and system modifications.

  • Create and execute Verification and Validation (V&V) plans that ensure radar‑system requirements satisfy mission objectives and customer needs.

  • Diagnose hardware and sub‑assembly failures, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.

  • Facilitate smooth transitions from design to production.

  • Produce and maintain engineering documentation, including specifications, change notices, parts lists, bills of materials, test plans, test procedures, and test reports to support the engineering development lifecycle and program goals.

  • Establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules.

  • Evaluate, integrate, and test hardware and software components to reduce development risk and investigate anomalies.

  • Interface with internal and external customers, delivering clear presentations and status updates.

  • Provide troubleshooting support for field failures, leveraging deep knowledge of both hardware and software interfaces within the system and subsystem components.

  • Offer technical assistance to Northrop and USAF technicians and collaborate with suppliers to resolve hardware issues.
    **This position may be filled at either Principal or Sr. Principal Level.

Principal Electronics Engineer Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; or a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience with:

  • Exposure to airborne RADAR and Electronic Warfare (EW)

  • Familiarity in C++, Python or MATLAB development and/or debugging

  • Familiarity with National Instruments (NI/Emerson) LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW.

  • Understanding of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms implemented on FPGAs.

  • Familiarity with PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys)

  • U.S. Citizenship and eligibility to obtain a US Government Secret security clearance.

or
 

Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline, with a minimum of 9 (nine) years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 7 (six) years of related engineering experience with:

  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication abilities, coupled with excellent organizational skills.

  • Proficiency with airborne RADAR and Electronic Warfare (EW)

  • Proficiency in C++, Python or MATLAB development and/or debugging

  • Proficiency with National Instruments (NI/Emerson) LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW.

  • Proficiency of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms implemented on FPGAs.

  • Proficiency with PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys)

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Altium Designer, RF and Digital test and measurement equipment.

  • U.S. Citizenship and eligibility to obtain a US Government Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proven experience with airborne RADAR Electronic Warfare (EW)

  • Proficiency in C++, Python or MATLAB development and/or debugging

  • Proficiency with National Instruments (NI/Emerson) LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW.

  • Strong understanding of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms implemented on FPGAs.

  • Proficiency with PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys)
     

Professional Experience in any of the following:

  • RADAR product data analysis

  • Software requirements definition and verification

  • Supplier Management of Hardware/Embedded Software system

  • Operations and Sustainment of fielded systems

  • Proposal development and review

  • Root Cause and Corrective Action Investigations

  • Test and evaluation of Software design solutions and tools

  • Experience with data analysis, simulation, and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB toolboxes,)

  • Experience with configuration management, issue tracking/trending, and basic software engineering practices.

  • Proficiency in one or more technical languages: MATLAB/Simulink, Python; C/C++ embedded/real time implementations.

  • Ability to comprehend and analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and make decisions that impact the organization’s credibility, operations and services.

  • Documented ability to interpret numerical data for reporting purposes and prepare and analyze data and figures.

  • Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate in a team environment across with multiple engineering disciplines.

  • Ability to diagnose/troubleshoot/repair hardware components

  • Experience with test planning at the circuit card, equipment, and system level

  • Experience generating and diagnosing automated test software

  • Analog, Digital, RF, EMI / EMC signal integrity experience

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

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

  • Principal: Bachelor's in STEM +5 years related experience, or Master's in STEM +3 years related experience
  • Sr. Principal: Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering +9 years related experience, or Master's in relevant STEM +7 years related experience
  • Exposure/proficiency with airborne RADAR and Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • Proficiency or familiarity with C++, Python, or MATLAB development and/or debugging
  • Familiarity or proficiency with National Instruments (NI/Emerson) LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW
  • Understanding or proficiency with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms implemented on FPGAs
  • Familiarity or proficiency with PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys)
  • U.S. Citizenship and eligibility to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Altium Designer, RF and digital test and measurement equipment
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, embedded/real-time C/C++ implementations, data analysis, simulation, and modeling tools
  • Experience in RADAR product data analysis, test planning, supplier management, operations and sustainment, root cause investigations, and configuration management

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.

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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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