Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a RF Payload Mechanical Engineer – Level 1 or Level 2 located in Dulles, VA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
Northrop Grumman Space Systems Division designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. Our main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.
Northrop Grumman Space Systems Division is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to assist a team of mechanical engineers to perform mechanical, systems, mechanisms, and design engineering tasks on one or more spacecraft systems or subsystems.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Reading and interpreting RF system block diagrams.
- Layout of RF equipment on spacecraft payload panels.
- Working with RF equipment such as test couplers, filters, muliplexers, high power amplifiers (ex. TWTA, SSPAs), etc.
- Design of waveguide and coaxial cable networks that connect RF equipment.
- Ensure RF equipment meets mechanical environments for which they will reside. Work with Mechanical Analysis team to meet compliance.
- Work with RF engineering on overall design and layout of RF equipment on spacecraft to ensure compliance at system level.
- Write or contribute to performance specifications w.r.t mechanical requirements.
- Reviewing component supplier drawings and models.
- Perform detailed design tasks using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other software tools to develop and document designs.
- Interfacing and communicating with customers, program and functional management, RF engineers and other spacecraft engineering disciplines, and component suppliers.
- Be self-motivated and provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems under limited supervision.
- Skills include, but not limited to, Computer Aided Design (CAD), knowledge of Geometric Dimension and Tolerancing (GD&T), 3D Printing, Design for Manufacturing, and Mechanics of Metallic and Composite Materials, Antenna and Reflector Design.
- Other duties as assigned
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position can be filled at either a Level 1 or Level 2.
Basic Qualifications for Level 1:
- Bachelor’s degree with 0 years of professional experience.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance
- Ability to performing engineering tasks associated with design, manufacturing and integration of RF payloads and equipment layouts.
- Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, preferably Creo Parametric.
Basic Qualifications for Level 2:
- Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 0 years of professional experience.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance
- Experience in performing engineering tasks associated with design, manufacturing and integration of RF payloads and equipment layouts.
- Experience with waveguide and coaxial cable layout design.
- Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
- Experience with interpreting and reviewing vendor provided Interface Control Drawings (ICDs) and associated 3D CAD models to provide feedback against requirements.
- Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards and preparation of manufacturing documentation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with layout of RF components on spacecraft panels.
- Experience with coaxial cable design.
- Experience with waveguide design.
- Experience with creating, reviewing, and releasing drawings.
- Basic understanding and interpretation of RF system block diagrams.
- Experience with CREO Parametric software.
- Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards and preparation of manufacturing documentation.
- Basic understanding of mechanical analysis and simulation methods and results.
- Active Top Secret Clearance.
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $69,400.00 - $104,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00The 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
- Bachelor's degree with 0 years of professional experience for Level 1, or bachelor's degree with 2 years of experience or master's degree with 0 years for Level 2
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance
- Ability to perform engineering tasks involving the design, manufacturing, and integration of RF payloads and equipment layouts
- Experience with computer-aided design software; Creo Parametric preferred
- Experience with waveguide and coaxial cable layout design for Level 2
- Experience interpreting and reviewing vendor Interface Control Drawings and associated 3D CAD models for Level 2
- Experience with GD&T standards and preparation of manufacturing documentation for Level 2
- Experience laying out RF components on spacecraft panels
- Experience with coaxial cable design
- Experience with waveguide design
- Experience creating, reviewing, and releasing drawings
- Basic understanding of RF system block diagrams
- Experience with Creo Parametric software
- Basic understanding of mechanical analysis and simulation methods and results
- Active Top Secret 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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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.
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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.
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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
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.








