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

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 108,800 - 203,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking Principal/Sr. Principal Digital‑RF Hardware Subsystem Integration and Test Engineers in Baltimore, MD. The role involves near-field range testing, software automation, and cross‑domain integration across firmware, software, and hardware.

The position requires a Secret clearance, has relocation and travel (approx. 10%), and emphasizes test data analysis, failure root-cause, and collaboration with hardware and design teams.

Qualifications

• Hold a Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline with 5 years of relevant experience, Master's with 3 years, or PhD with 0 years; 4 additional years in lieu of a degree.
• Proficiency in near-field or compact antenna test ranges, including integration, test, data collection, analysis, and system integration.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment—network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes.
• Experience testing highly integrated digital subsystems across firmware, software, and hardware domains.
• Proficiency in software scripting, Linux command-line debugging, MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++.

Responsibilities

• Integrate new equipment and programs in a state-of-the-art near-field digital range.
• Develop software to automate test processes and data analysis.
• Troubleshoot digital and RF issues during testing of advanced antenna systems.
• Analyze test data and identify early trends.
• Support program meetings, developing root-cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with design engineering for hardware, controls, and test improvements.
• Support performance testing, requirements verification, and related activities.
• Integrate antenna hardware for digital active electronically scanned arrays (DAE-SAs).
• Create test support applications and tools using MATLAB.
• Conduct Test Readiness Reviews and/or Design Readiness Reviews.
• Conceptually develop operations for integration and test activities.

Skills

near-field testing

RF test equipment

firmware/software/hardware integration

software scripting

Linux

MATLAB

C++

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline

Tools

MATLAB scripts

Python

VHDL

C++

Job description

Principal / Sr. Principal Digital‑RF Hardware Subsystem Integration and Test Engineer

Relocation assistance may be available.
Clearance required for start: Yes (Secret clearance).
Travel: Yes, approximately 10% of the time.

Position Overview: The AMS 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 to conduct digital range antenna testing and support advanced antenna system integration across the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Integrate new equipment and programs in a state‑of‑the‑art near‑field digital range.
• Develop software to automate test processes and data analysis.
• Troubleshoot digital and RF issues during testing of advanced antenna systems.
• Analyze test data and identify early trends.
• Support program meetings, developing root‑cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with design engineering for hardware, controls, and test improvements.
• Support performance testing, requirements verification, and related activities.
• Integrate antenna hardware for digital active electronically scanned arrays (DAE‑SAs).
• Create test support applications and tools using MATLAB.
• Conduct Test Readiness Reviews and/or Design Readiness Reviews.
• Conceptually develop operations for integration and test activities.

Basic Qualifications – Principal Engineer (Level3)

• Hold a Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline with 5 years of relevant experience, Master's with 3 years, or PhD with 0 years; 4 additional years of experience acceptable in lieu of a degree.
• Proficiency in near‑field or compact antenna test ranges, including integration, test, data collection, analysis, and system integration.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment—network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes.
• Experience testing highly integrated digital subsystems across firmware, software, and hardware domains.
• Proficiency in software scripting, Linux command‐line debugging, MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++.

Basic Qualifications – Sr. Principal Engineer (Level4)

• Hold a Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline with 8 years of relevant experience, Master's with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years; 4 additional years of experience acceptable in lieu of a degree.
• Proficiency in near‑field or compact antenna test ranges, including integration, test, data collection, analysis, and system integration.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment—network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes.
• Experience testing highly integrated digital subsystems across firmware, software, and hardware domains.
• Proficiency in software scripting, Linux command‑line debugging, MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++.
• General aptitude in antenna range scheduling, staffing, technical team leadership, requirements, prioritization, time management, team building, work dissemination, planning, and early issue identification.

Preferred Qualifications

• TS/SCI or SAP clearance.
• Knowledge of RF and antenna theory, including performance analysis.
• Working knowledge of Python, VHDL, and C++.
• Experience troubleshooting RF digital subsystems.
• Understanding of digital signal processing chains.
• Experience supporting engineers across firmware, software, power, and RF test teams.
• Ability to delegate and oversee junior subsystem engineers.
• Capacity to derive test cases from system‑level requirements to validate hardware performance.

Compensation & Benefits

• Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 – $163,200.00.
• Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 – $203,600.00.
• Possibility of overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and long‑term incentives for senior positions.
• Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, paid time off for vacation or personal business.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our full EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit Northrop Grumman EEO Statement. U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance.