Hardware/RF Engineering Lead – Level 4

Northrop Grumman; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Boulder, Colorado seeks a Hardware/RF Engineer – Level 4 to lead the hardware team on large-scale SATCOM ground systems and to serve as mission engineer for end-to-end data-flow solutions.

The role requires a DoD Secret clearance, hands-on design/integration experience with SATCOM hardware, RF systems, and MBSE tools; travel ~10% and U.S. government program experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience; or Master’s with 6 years; PhD with 4 years may be substituted.
• Active DoD Secret clearance required, ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI.
• Experience designing, integrating and testing RTCIL/HWIL labs.
• SATCOM ground terminals, RF-over-Fiber, high-power transmitters, phased-array antennas.
• Background in server, storage and network technologies; exposure to MBSE.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, integration, and deployment of large-scale SATCOM ground systems.
• Serve as mission engineer for end-to-end data-flow solutions and ensure compliance with requirements.
• Support cross-functional teams and coordinate with vendors for subsystems.
• Oversee procurement, integration, and testing of antennas and computing platforms.
• Control budgets and manage subcontractor performance for hardware deliverables.
• Maintain vendor relationships, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation.

Skills

SATCOM systems

RF engineering

Leadership

C2 systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related

PhD (optional) in relevant field

Tools

NetApp NAS

X86 servers

Jira

SysML/MBSE

Job description

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.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) is seeking a Hardware/RF Engineer – Level 4 to serve as Hardware Team Lead and join our team at our facility in Boulder, Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, integration, and deployment of large‑scale SATCOM ground systems supporting MEO‑tracking ground stations.
• Serve as mission engineer for end‑to‑end data‑flow solutions (RF processing, A/D conversion, demod, de‑crypt, networking configuration, cross‑domain handling) and ensure compliance with down‑link, transmit, spacecraft custody, and data‑processing requirements.
• Support and advise cross‑functional teams of engineers across microwave/RF, HPC, precision timing, IT/networking, and civil‑construction disciplines; coordinate with antenna manufacturers, space‑craft providers, and vendor partners.
• Oversee procurement, integration, and testing of antennas, modulation/demodulation subsystems, server/storage/computing platforms.
• Control budgets and cost accounts for material procurement and program‑wide hardware baselines.
• Develop detailed requirement specifications, source subcontract agreements, and manage subcontractor performance for hardware and civil‑construction deliverables.
• Maintain vendor relationships, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience — OR — Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience — OR — PhD with 4 years of relevant experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Secret or higher security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI
• Ability to design, integrate, and test real‑time computer‑in‑the-loop (RTCIL) and hardware‑in‑the-loop (HWIL) laboratories.
• Experience with design and integration of SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, and phased‑array antennas.
• Background in server, storage, and network technologies (NetApp NAS, X86 virtualized servers).
• Certifications: CompTIA Security+ or ability to obtain

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years in satellite ground systems architecture, large‑scale IT project management, and hardware integration for DoD/IC programs.
• CompTIA Security+ certification
• Direct leadership of multi‑site SATCOM installations and experience delivering to secure USG facilities.
• Demonstrated success managing large hardware baselines and procurement for programs
• Hands‑on experience with airborne/ground C2 systems (Kratos Compass, RT Logic, ViaSat).
• Experience with civil‑construction coordination for medium to large installations.
• Proficiency with MBSE (SysML) and Agile development tools (Jira).

Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 – $193,900.00

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.

Job Category: Engineering