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Principal/Sr. Principal Digital-RF Hardware Subsystem I&T Engineer

Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Full Time On-site
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 BaPs E&S organization at Northrop Grumman Missions Systems in Baltimore, Maryland is seeking experienced Principal/Sr. Principal Digital-RF Hardware Subsystem Integration and Test Engineers for Digital Range antenna testing.

The qualified candidates will work with a diverse and talented team of engineers developing innovative and cost-effective systems that support a broad range of products and business areas across the lifecycle of a program. 

Applicants should possess the ability to communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Integration of new equipment and programs in a state-of-the-art Near field Digital range
  • Software development for automating test processes and data analysis 
  • Troubleshooting digital and RF issues during test of advanced antenna systems 
  • Analyzing test data and identifying early trends
  • Supporting program meetings in developing root cause and corrective actions 
  • Collaborating with design engineering for hardware, controls, and test improvements 
  • Support for performance testing, requirements verification, and more.
  • Integration of antenna hardware for digital active electronically scanned arrays (DAESAs)
  • Creating test support applications and tools using MATLAB
  • Conducting Test Readiness Reviews and/or Design Readiness Reviews
  • Concept development of operation for integration and test activities 

These roles is contingent upon having a current Active Secret Clearance and future ability to achieve a SAP Clearance.

These roles are contingent upon Program Award.

This is a Dual-level opening, candidates will be considered at both a level 3 (Principal Engineer) or 4 (Sr. Principal Engineer) based upon the Basic Qualifications listed below.

Basic Qualification - Principal Digital Receiver Exciter Subsystem I&T:

  • Must hold at least a Secret security clearance
  • Must have a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline with 5 years of experience in the areas described in the job description or Master's Degree with 3 years of experience or PhD with 0 years of experience. An additional 4 years’ experience is acceptable in lieu of degree
  • Exhibit proficiency in near-field or compact antenna test ranges on tasks including antenna range integration, test, data collection, data analysis, and system integration
  • Exhibit proficiency with RF test equipment including network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes
  • Exhibit proficiency in testing highly integrated digital subsystems crossing Firmware, Software and Hardware domains
  • Exhibit proficiency in software scripting, Linux command-line interface and debugging in MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++

Basic Qualification - Sr. Principal Digital Receiver Exciter Subsystem I&T:

  • Must hold at least a Secret security clearance
  • Must have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related discipline with 8 years of experience in the areas described in the job description or a Masters Degree with 6 years of experience or PhD with 4 years of experience. An additional 4 years’ experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.
  • Exhibit proficiency in near-field or compact antenna test ranges on tasks including antenna range integration, test, data collection, data analysis, and system integration
  • Exhibit proficiency with RF test equipment including network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes
  • Exhibit proficiency in testing highly integrated digital subsystems crossing Firmware, Software and Hardware domains
  • Exhibit proficiency in software scripting, Linux command-line interface and debugging in MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++
  • Exhibit general aptitude in antenna range scheduling, staffing, technical team leadership, requirements, prioritization, time management, team building, work dissemination, planning, and early identification of issues

Preferred Qualifications:

  • TS/SCI clearance
  • SAP clearance
  • Knowledge of RF and antenna theory, including RF performance analysis
  • Working knowledge Python, VHDL and C++
  • Experience troubleshooting RF digital subsystems
  • Understanding of digital signal processing chains
  • Experience working with and supporting engineers across firmware, software, power, and RF test teams
  • Be able to delegate, task and oversee the work of junior subsystems engineers
  • Have the ability to take a system level requirement and derive test cases to validate hardware performance

MS-250SURGE

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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