Principal/Sr. Principal RF Microwave/Mixed Signal Design Engineer

Posted 14 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Baltimore, MD, USA
In-Office
109K-204K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Designs, models, verifies, tests, and supports RF microwave and mixed-signal assemblies and subsystems for radar and electronic sensor products. Responsibilities include AESA and antenna subsystem design, electromagnetic simulation, RF budgeting, frequency planning, hardware prototyping, antenna measurements, troubleshooting, production support, supplier collaboration, and lifecycle sustainment. The role requires cross-functional engineering collaboration and Secret clearance eligibility, with an active Interim Secret clearance required before start.
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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Sr. Principal RF Microwave/Mixed Signal Design Engineer based out of Baltimore (Linthicum), MD.  This is full time onsite position that offers the 9/80 Schedule.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) sector delivers a decisive advantage to its customers through software-defined, hardware-enabled solutions. Here in Linthicum, MD we enable these hardware solutions by providing RF microwave and mixed signal architecture, design, verification, and support expertise across a wide variety electronic sensor products. Our engineers work on complex, leading edge, high reliability electronics supporting maritime, ground, airborne, and space platforms.


Roles and Responsibilities for the RF Microwave /Mixed Signal Design Engineer include, but are not limited to, the following:


  • Designing, modeling, and verifying RF and mixed signal assembly product types including apertures, radome, circulators/isolators, Transmit/Receive modules and switches, interposer assemblies, filters, RF manifolds/splitters, backplanes, beamformers, and other relevant RF building blocks within RF antenna subsystem.
  • Designing, modeling, and verifying RF and mixed signal subsystems products including Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) and other RF Subsystem products within an electronic sensor system like a Radar.
  • Using industry design tools for modeling and simulating RF and mixed signal performance.  Tools include but are not limited to: ANSYS EM Suite, CST Microwave, Keysight ADS, Genesys, Matlab/Simulink, Xpedition, DXDesigner, TICRA/GRASP, FEKO, Python/C++/C#, Github, Labview.
  • RF and mixed signal hardware test planning and test specification creation
  • RF and mixed signal hardware production follow, engineering troubleshoot and sustainment engineering.
  • Prototyping RF and mixed signal hardware with standard RF test equipment such as RF lab equipment such as vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, digital oscilloscopes, signal generators, phase noise test sets, and power meters.
  • Antenna measurements using anechoic chambers and antenna range test equipment.
  • Deriving and trading requirements from antenna subsystem-level down through component levels.
  • Managing RF budgets, frequency planning, and common assembly level interfaces.
  • Predicting assembly level performance through selecting materials, components, and packaging approaches, RF chain analysis, electromagnetic simulation, data collection and analysis, and other modeling techniques
  • Collaborating with peer functions such as Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Test Design.
  • Utilizing world class manufacturing capabilities both on-site and within the broader company for prototyping through full-rate production from the foundry level to microelectronic packaging to printed circuit board fabrication and assembly to subsystem level integration and test
  • Working directly with a wide variety of different external supplier partners including leading domestic foundries, printed circuit board fabricators and assemblers, component manufacturers, material fabricators, and more
  • Supporting products throughout the product life cycle


**This role is contingent upon the ability to obtain an Interim US Government Secret Clearance prior to start.


**This role is contingent on Program/Task Award


This requisition can be filled at either the Principal Engineer (T03) level or Sr Principal Engineer (T04) level based on the qualifications listed below.


Principal Engineer (T03) Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 5 years of RF/microwave experience -OR- a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 3 years of RF/microwave experience -OR - a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field
  • Demonstrated knowledge of electrical engineering design software and equipment
  • Experience in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment
  • US Citizenship is required
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance. An active U.S. Government Interim Secret clearance is required prior to start.

Senior Principal (T04) Engineer Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 8 years of RF/microwave experience -OR- a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 6 years of RF/microwave experience -OR - a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 3 years of RF/microwave experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of electrical engineering design software and equipment
  • Experience in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment
  • US Citizenship is required
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance. An active U.S. Government Interim Secret clearance is required prior to start.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Graduate degree concentration in RF/Microwave Engineering or Computational Electromagnetics
  • Experience designing, implementing, installing and maintaining electrical systems
  • Direct experience designing or testing AESA / phased array, Radar, SIGINT, or SATCOM products
  • Experience working in DoD Radar electronic designs through all phases of a product’s lifecycle from concept through production support
  • Integrated Circuit packaging techniques including chip-and-wire, QFN, flip-chip, interposers
  • Electronic troubleshooting from component to assembly levels
  • Demonstrated ability to write code to conduct complex data reduction and analysis using MATLAB or Python/C++/C#
  • Technical team leadership experience with or without Cost Account Management Experience
  • Current, active US Government Secret clearance or higher.

NGMS engineers share a great sense of pride knowing their contributions have a direct effect on the safety and security of the country and its allies. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, teamwork, and bringing your whole self to work to accomplish the mission while learning and having fun along the way. The Mission Systems Engineering and Sciences (MS E&S) organization is fertile ground for all experience levels to become part of our growing team and contribute to our goals. The department offers opportunities to grow on a technical track both broad and deep as well as explore project leadership or management positions.

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!


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

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 5 years of RF/microwave experience for Principal level
  • Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 3 years of RF/microwave experience for Principal level
  • PhD in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field for Principal level
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 8 years of RF/microwave experience for Senior Principal level
  • Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 6 years of RF/microwave experience for Senior Principal level
  • PhD in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field with 3 years of RF/microwave experience for Senior Principal level
  • Knowledge of electrical engineering design software and equipment
  • Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
  • Active U.S. Government Interim Secret clearance prior to start
  • Graduate degree concentration in RF/Microwave Engineering or Computational Electromagnetics
  • Experience designing, implementing, installing, and maintaining electrical systems
  • Experience designing or testing AESA, phased-array, radar, SIGINT, or SATCOM products
  • Experience with DoD radar electronic designs across the product lifecycle
  • Integrated-circuit packaging experience including chip-and-wire, QFN, flip-chip, or interposers
  • Electronic troubleshooting from component to assembly levels
  • Ability to write MATLAB, Python, C++, or C# code for complex data reduction and analysis
  • Technical team leadership experience, with or without Cost Account Management experience
  • Current active U.S. Government Secret clearance or higher

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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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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