Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, redefining engineering capabilities, and driving advances in various sciences through cutting-edge technology. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission.
We are seeking a Senior Principal Hardware Lead for our Aurora, CO location. As a part of the Hardware team, the Hardware Lead has an understanding of the Systems Engineering process across a product's lifecycle and gains a full appreciation for how the systems operate as well as experience executing full life-cycle development for complex mission systems (requirements, design, integration, test, deployment, and sustainment)
The successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to complete tasks with little direction and oversight. They will be an effective communicator and problem solver who are able to develop and begin working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and customers.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strong systems engineering background, including system architecture definition and development of SRD/RTM and ICDs (interfaces, data flows, networks, ports/protocols/services).
Hands-on experience planning and executing formal technical reviews and test events (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FAT/PAT) and documenting results.
Lead hardware architecture and detailed design for land, maritime, and enterprise variants, ensuring requirements allocation, performance margins, and integration with system/software/network elements.
Own fabrication and assembly documentation (schematics, BoMs, assembly drawings), driving design-for-manufacture/test and resolving hardware non-conformances with suppliers and internal teams.
Plan and oversee hardware verification and qualification (environmental, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, power, reliability), including test procedures, fixtures, and analysis of results.
Maintain hardware configuration control across prototypes and production (baselines, change requests, CCB input, release packages), coordinating closely with configuration management and QA.
Lead hardware risk and issue management (technical risks, obsolescence, supply chain, reliability/sparing) and present status, mitigations, and impacts at TIMs, design reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR), TRR/FAT/PAT, and PMRs.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience is required. 4 additional years of experience is required in lieu of a degree.
Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
Working knowledge of relevant military/environmental, EMI/EMC, and power standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-167, MIL-STD-1399) and their application to design and test.
Background in cybersecurity and configuration/risk management for DoD systems (RMF/NIST-based controls, SSP/STIG/ACAS artifacts, configuration control, and risk registers
Experience with hardware design, performing integration and developing and executing test processes.
Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of requirement changes on hardware design.
The ability to lift 50 pounds and work from elevated positions at heights above 8 feet.
Ability to work in the field under austere weather conditions
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelors’ STEM degree is highly preferred.
Experience with RF and Electrical testing tools, such as Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, RF Power meters, multimeters
Experience with complex system architectures and hardware validation procedures.
Knowledge of electronic components and their applications in communication systems.
Previous experience in a fast-paced engineering environment with a focus on field support operations is desirable.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 8+ years experience, OR Master's with 6+ years, OR 4 additional years in lieu of degree.
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
- Working knowledge and application of military/environmental, EMI/EMC, and power standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-167, MIL-STD-1399).
- Background in cybersecurity and configuration/risk management for DoD systems (RMF/NIST controls, SSP/STIG/ACAS artifacts, configuration control, risk registers).
- Experience with hardware design, system integration, and developing/executing hardware test processes.
- Demonstrated knowledge of impacts of requirements changes on hardware design.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and work from elevated positions above 8 feet.
- Ability to work in the field under austere weather conditions.
- Bachelor's STEM degree.
- Experience with RF and electrical test tools (Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, Oscilloscope, Signal Generator, RF Power meters, multimeters).
- Experience with complex system architectures and hardware validation procedures.
- Knowledge of electronic components and applications in communication systems.
- Previous experience in fast-paced engineering environments with field support operations.
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.






