Northrop Grumman Aeronautics systems Sector is seeking a highly skilled Sr. Principal Digital Design Verification Lead to develop and execute verification strategies for complex FPGA-based designs. This role focuses on ensuring functional correctness, performance, and robustness of FPGA implementations through advanced simulation, testbench development, and verification methodologies. This position would be supporting our Core Vehicle Management Systems (CVMS) organization out of our San Diego Ca site. This is a hyrbid position however selected candidate must be from a commutable distance from the San Diego Site.
The ideal candidate has strong experience with SystemVerilog-based verification environments and industry-standard simulation tools such as Questa, along with a deep understanding of digital design and FPGA architectures.
The ideal candidate has strong experience with SystemVerilog-based verification environments and industry-standard simulation tools such as Questa, along with a deep understanding of digital design and FPGA architectures.
Essential Functions:
• Develop and maintain comprehensive verification environments for FPGA designs using SystemVerilog (UVM preferred)
• Create reusable, scalable testbenches for functional and performance verification
• Execute simulation-based verification using tools such as Questa/ModelSim
• Develop directed and constrained-random test cases to achieve high functional coverage
• Analyze simulation results, debug failures, and collaborate with design engineers to resolve issues
• Define and track coverage metrics (functional, code, toggle, etc.)
• Participate in design reviews and provide feedback from a verification perspective
• Support regression automation and continuous integration workflows
• Assist in hardware validation and bring-up when needed
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another STEM field and 8 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another STEM field and 6 years of relevant experience
5 or more years of experience in FPGA verification
Strong proficiency in SystemVerilog and modern verification methodologies (UVM strongly preferred)
Hands-on experience with Questa and/or ModelSim
Solid understanding of digital logic design, RTL (Verilog/VHDL), and FPGA architectures
Experience writing testbenches, assertions (SVA), and coverage models
Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Tcl, or Bash for automation
Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)
Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret Clearance
Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration
Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces.
Experience with OVM/UVM Verification methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or STEM and 8 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and 6 years of relevant experience
- 5 or more years of experience in FPGA verification
- Strong proficiency in SystemVerilog and modern verification methodologies (UVM strongly preferred)
- Hands-on experience with Questa and/or ModelSim
- Solid understanding of digital logic design, RTL (Verilog/VHDL), and FPGA architectures
- Experience writing testbenches, assertions (SVA), and coverage models
- Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Tcl, or Bash for automation
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret Clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period
- Must be commutable to the San Diego site (hybrid role)
- Digital circuit design, simulation and schematic capture experience
- Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience with complex digital subsystems (FPGAs, embedded processors, high-speed interfaces)
- Experience with OVM/UVM verification methodologies
- Ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications
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.


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