Staff Engineer RF Microwave Design

Posted Yesterday
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Baltimore, MD, USA
In-Office
169K-254K Annually
Expert/Leader
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Leads RF, microwave, analog, digital, and mixed-signal hardware design teams through development, integration, verification, testing, and troubleshooting. Oversees modeling, PCB design, requirements derivation, design reviews, antenna subsystem analysis, ATP testing, hardware documentation, and failure investigations. Mentors engineers, collaborates across engineering functions, and supports critical product milestones. Requires an active Secret clearance and eligibility for SAP clearance.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

The AESA Subsystems and Product Leadership organization at Northrop Grumman Missions Systems in Baltimore, Maryland is seeking a Staff Engineer RF Microwave Design to support several of our onsite product lines.

What You’ll get to Do:

In this role, you will lead the Hardware Design Team, and partner with other engineering function leaders to progress and mature hardware product in support of critical engineering reviews and milestones. This position supports the full design lifecycle including development, integration, and test.

Related job functions include:

  • Oversee the design, modeling, and verification of the RF, microwave, and mixed signal assemblies.
  • Lead verification efforts for RF, Analog, and Digital hardware designs, as well as  troubleshooting efforts and failure investigations.
  • Collaborating with peer functions such as Mechanical, Manufacturing, Test, and IC design Engineers.
  • Deriving and trading requirements with subsystem engineers and component level designers
  • Mentor other engineers from a technical standpoint as well as perform senior peer review.

This position requires that you are able to contribute as an RF or Hardware Lead within the AESA Hardware Subsystem Discipline.  Candidate is preferred to have an engineering background and has experience leading a small team of engineers that has executed tasks involving the following:

  • Familiarity with Antenna I&T\Analysis Subsystem parts (CCAs, front-end technology, Receiver-Exciter, phased array technology) and their capabilities
  • Familiarity with Antenna I&T\Analysis Subsystem metrics and requirements that are assessed (Gain, ERP, CPCR, Sensitivity, TOI, Noise Figure, various antenna subsystem health status, RF chain\paths)
  • Familiarity with Antenna I&T\Analysis Hardware testing environments:
    • Build-up stations of components\parts (Labs with program STE Test Racks)
    • Antenna Ranges (Near-Field, Compact Range, Far-Field, Spherical Near-Field)
  • Familiarity with AESA Sub-system Hardware flow processes
  • Pattern Analysis and modeling of AESA Subsystem hardware
  • ATP Testing flow (build, environmental screening, approval to move forward to NHA, TRRs, Post-Test Data reviews, Consent to Break, OK for Stores, OK to ship)
  • Understands the Design Process (PDR, DDR, CDR checklists and design gate deliverables)
  • Tools utilized for data processing\analysis (MATLAB, Python)
  • Documentation for Hardware (T-Specs, OTSAs, hardware drawings, ICDs, Set Selection Drawings)
  • Quality processes utilized in hardware anomaly cases (QNs, FRBs, MRBs, Engineering response to hardware failures in the ATP Test Flow, and Qualification phase)

These positions are contingent upon having an Active Secret Clearance and obtaining SAP clearance.

These positions are contingent upon Program Award.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering or comparable STEM degree and a minimum of 12 years of relevant engineering experience, 10 years of experience with Master's degree, or 8 years of experience with PhD
  • Familiar with RF/Microwave modeling, simulation and printed circuit board design tools (e.g. Keysight ADS, Xpedition, HFSS)
  • Drafting and design experience in PCB design for fabrication and PWB layer stack up for digital, RF and mixed signal CCAs. 
  • Experience with test and troubleshoot from component to assembly levels.
  • Ability to provide solutions to a broad variety of RF/Microwave design and test related problems of complex difficulty.
  • US Citizenship required.
  • Active Secret Clearance and ability to obtain SAP.

Preferred Qualifications:

  •  Experience leading technical teams.
  • Strong understanding of hardware design principles, and Hardware Design Process.
  • Expert proficiency with industry standard RF/Microwave modeling, simulation and printed circuit board design tools (e.g. Keysight ADS, Xpedition, HFSS)

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00

The 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 in Electrical Engineering or a comparable STEM discipline
  • At least 12 years of relevant engineering experience with a bachelor’s degree, 10 years with a master’s degree, or 8 years with a PhD
  • Experience with RF/microwave modeling, simulation, and PCB design tools such as Keysight ADS, Xpedition, or HFSS
  • Drafting and design experience for PCB fabrication and PWB layer stack-ups for digital, RF, and mixed-signal circuit card assemblies
  • Experience testing and troubleshooting hardware from component through assembly levels
  • Ability to solve complex RF/microwave design and testing problems
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Active Secret clearance
  • Ability to obtain SAP clearance
  • Experience leading technical teams
  • Strong understanding of hardware design principles and hardware design processes
  • Expert proficiency with industry-standard RF/microwave modeling, simulation, and PCB design tools

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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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