Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add an Senior Principal Engineer Electronics - Communications to join our team in San Diego, CA and will be primarily based within our office spaces to support the program and business needs. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.
A successful candidate will leverage extensive hands-on experience with Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication systems, AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) and expertise in supporting test events, system verification, and troubleshooting to ensure successful integration and communication test outcomes:
Roles and Responsibilities will include:
Hands-on work with LOS and BLOS communication systems, including modems, up/down converters, and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna systems.
Providing direct user support, engineering expertise, and troubleshooting during test events.
Addressing and correcting deliverable subsystem performance concerns via program identified tools/systems on behalf of the Communications technical team.
Identifying opportunities for deliverable system improvement and working with engineering teams to implement in accordance with approved program processes.
Reporting Comms subsystem status to programmatic and technical team leadership and identifying risks/issues/concerns to prevent increased cost and/or schedule loss.
Develop architecture trade studies and work with the enterprise time to evaluate complex, technical decisions
Manage technical supplier base to ensure technical, schedule, and cost thresholds are being met
Manage and perform development risk reduction activities to ensure affordable and timely delivery of required technology
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
Strong understanding of RF signal chains and system-level integration of Communication components.
Experience in Communications system integration
Experience with modulation/demodulation and coding techniques as related to communications systems
Experience with RF and Network based test equipment to include oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and power meters
Active U.S. Government Top Secret SCI Security Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs
Preferred Qualifications:
Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Networking Experience (Layer 2/3 Networking and training/certifications (Network+, Security+, CCNA, etc.)
Experience with RF performance assessment through link margin and antenna pattern analyses
Experience with supplier/subcontract management
Familiarity with common industry standards related to communications and network-based systems, such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, Ethernet (IPv4/IPv6)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years related engineering experience; OR Master's +6 years; OR PhD +4 years
- Strong understanding of RF signal chains and system-level integration of communications components
- Experience in communications system integration
- Experience with modulation/demodulation and coding techniques related to communications systems
- Experience with RF and network-based test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters)
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret SCI security clearance (background within past 5 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Networking experience (Layer 2/3) and certifications (Network+, Security+, CCNA)
- Experience with RF performance assessment (link margin, antenna pattern analyses)
- Experience with supplier/subcontract management
- Familiarity with communications and network standards (MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, Ethernet IPv4/IPv6)
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.
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.








