Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking an RF Microwave Design Engineer - Level 3 or 4 to support our team in Boulder, CO.
Responsibilities
- Conducting RF/payload/communication system analysis, modeling, and simulation
- Designing and developing RF systems and corresponding analyses
- Designs, develops, tests radio frequency (RF) and/or microwave systems architecture, components, circuits, or products. Includes antenna design, both reflector and array systems, frequency synthesizers, transmitters and receivers.
- Generating specifications and analyses for ambiguous customer requirements
- Supporting RF engineering Basis of Estimates for proposals
- Execute trades and analyses for Radio Frequency systems and circuitry
- Design and develop RF systems and corresponding analyses, such as link budgets, cascade analyses, and frequency response
- Model and simulate RF systems for high-frequency and microwave applications
Basic Qualifications for a Level 3:
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience – OR – PHD with 1 year of relevant experience
- Active Secret clearance is required at time of application
- Understanding of Digital Communications and Signal Processing.
- Experience in modeling, simulation, and/or analysis of RF Systems, including Space-to-Ground and Payload Systems
- Design and integration of SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, and phased‑array and parabolic antennas.
- Experience performing Link Budget Analysis to design and optimize the communication link between the satellite and the ground station and/or Cascade Analysis to evaluate the overall performance of the payload and associated components
- Proficient with MATLAB
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong communication skills
Basic Qualifications for a Level 4:
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience – OR – PHD with 4 years of relevant experience
- Active Secret clearance is required at time of application
- Understanding of Digital Communications and Signal Processing.
- Experience in modeling, simulation, and/or analysis of RF Systems, including Space-to-Ground and Payload Systems
- Design and integration of SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, and phased‑array and parabolic antennas.
- Experience performing Link Budget Analysis to design and optimize the communication link between the satellite and the ground station and/or Cascade Analysis to evaluate the overall performance of the payload and associated components
- Proficient with MATLAB
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive RF/payload/communication experience in system analysis, modeling and simulation.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in the area of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) such as Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog analysis and testing; digital channelization, digital beamforming, digital receiver theory and technology
- Knowledge of RF performance metrics (G/T, tracking performance, axial ratio, phase variation) and EMI/RFI shielding requirements
- Ability to analyze and evaluate complex satellite test data, extensive experience working with spectrum analyzers, network analyzers and vector signal analyzers and their associated data.
- Experience with MATLAB/Simulink in modeling complex communication systems.
- Experience with Basis of Estimates
- Understanding of MBSE (SysML) and
- Experience with DOORS
- Familiarity with STK
- Familiarity with HFSS.
- Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility (either adjudicated or the ability to obtain SCI access)
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to work with uncertain or incomplete information
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Skills Required
- Active Secret security clearance at time of application
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with relevant experience (Level 3: ≥5 years; Level 4: ≥8 years) or advanced degree with reduced experience
- Understanding of digital communications and signal processing
- Experience modeling, simulation, and analysis of RF systems including space-to-ground and payload systems
- Design and integration experience with SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, phased‑array and parabolic antennas
- Experience performing link budget and cascade analyses
- Proficiency with MATLAB
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
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.








