Principal / Sr Principal Engineer Electronics

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Baltimore, MD seeks an experienced RF/Digital Test Engineer at Level 3/4 to support production testing of mixed-signal hardware. You will perform automated tests, debug bench setups, and analyze data to improve First Time Through Test Yield and overall reliability.

The role requires strong foundations in digital, power, and RF, with hands-on debugging and schematics interpretation. A DoD Secret clearance and US citizenship are required, with relocation support possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance and U.S. citizenship
• Experience in a lab or production environment with RF/mixed-signal hardware
• Experience reading schematics and block diagrams to localize hardware failures
• Experience executing and debugging automated test procedures

Responsibilities

• Execute and troubleshoot automated test procedures covering: DC power-on and current checks, programming and JTAG/boundary-scan tests, RF performance measurements
• Analyze RF performance including gain, noise figure, spurious, and harmonics
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing to improve yield, reliability, and test limits
• Document findings, nonconformances, and corrective actions clearly and consistently

Skills

RF test engineering

Digital electronics

Power electronics

Troubleshooting

Data analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Power meters

Vector network analyzers

Signal generators

DC power supplies

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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.

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 Mission Systems Manufacturing Operations Test Engineering Team in Baltimore, MD seeks a Digital & Power / RF Test Engineer – Level 3 or Level 4.

This career opportunity is a great fit for self-motivated, proactive individuals who want to assume ownership of the performance and delivery of Northrop Grumman's diverse suite of digital, RF and power hardware.

Our engineers work in a high exposure, fast paced, and exciting environment that involves “hands on” technical challenges, problem solving, and inter-department collaborations.

If you thrive on solving problems and want different challenges each day, please read on!

RF / Digital Test Engineer – Level 3 or Level 4

We are seeking an experienced test engineer with strong foundations in digital electronics, power electronics, and RF to support production testing and troubleshooting of complex mixed‑signal hardware.

In this role, you will work on both transmit‑side and receive‑side assemblies in a manufacturing environment, combining automated test execution, hands‑on bench debug, and data analysis to improve First Time Through Test Yield (FTTTY), Scrap, Rework, and Repair (SRR), performance, and reliability.

This position may be filled at either the Level 3 or Level 4 engineer level depending on the qualifications, experience, and demonstrated capabilities of the selected candidate.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Execute and troubleshoot automated test procedures covering: DC power‑on and current checks Programming and JTAG / boundary‑scan tests Digital bus and control interface tests RF gain, noise figure, and intermodulation measurements Channel isolation, BIT (built‑in test) functions, and filter rejection Perform hands‑on debugging using: Oscilloscopes to verify clocks, resets, and digital control signals Spectrum analyzers and power meters to measure RF power, spurious, harmonics, and phase noise Vector network analyzers to measure magnitude and phase of rf signals.
• DMMs and other tools to validate supply rails, regulator outputs, and device health
• Troubleshoot end‑to‑end RF and IF chains using schematics and block diagrams: Identify issues in filters, amplifiers, switches, mixers, attenuators, and protection devices
• Compare measured performance against test specifications and limits
• Track down excessive insertion loss, gain errors, or unexpected spurious responses
• Work with digital and embedded aspects of the design: Support JTAG‑based programming and device verification
• Verify that control buses, configuration registers, and BIT indicators behave as expected
• Apply structured troubleshooting methods: Use golden/reference units, A/B comparisons, and systematic measurements to isolate suspect hardware
• Perform targeted component swaps and select‑in‑test (SIT) adjustments to bring units within specification
• Document findings, QNs, and corrective actions clearly and consistently
• Collaborate closely with design engineering, manufacturing engineering, and test technicians: Provide data‑driven input on failure trends and root cause
• Help refine test limits, procedures, and troubleshooting flows
• Mentor technicians in interpreting automated test results and performing safe, effective bench debug

The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between digital, power, and RF problems; can read and reason from detailed schematics and block diagrams; and is disciplined about data, documentation, and communication.

Basic Qualifications — Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• Experience in a lab or production environment with: Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, power meters, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and DC power supplies
• Debugging and characterizing mixed‑signal or RF hardware (board or module level)
• Experience reading and use of schematics and block diagrams to localize hardware failures.
• Experience executing and debugging automated test procedures (e.g., power‑on, functional, RF performance, and BIT tests).
• Experience with basic RF concepts (gain, noise figure, spurious, harmonics, filters) and analog/digital circuitry.
• A current/active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• U.S. citizenship.

Basic Qualifications — Level 4

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field and a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience
• Experience in a lab or production environment with: Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, power meters, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and DC power supplies
• Debugging and characterizing mixed‑signal or RF hardware (board or module level)
• Experience reading and use of schematics and block diagrams to localize hardware failures.
• Experience executing and debugging automated test procedures (e.g., power‑on, functional, RF performance, and BIT tests).
• Experience with basic RF concepts (gain, noise figure, spurious, harmonics, filters) and analog/digital circuitry.
• A current/active DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications (applies to both Level 3 and Level 4)

• Experience with automated test equipment (ATE) platforms and test automation software.
• Experience troubleshooting RF front ends or transceiver chains (filters, LNAs, mixers, attenuators, switch matrices, etc.).
• Experience with JTAG/boundary‑scan tools and digital interfaces (e.g., SPI, I²C, LVDS, or similar).
• Experience with built‑in test (BIT) concepts and designing or maintaining production test limits.
• Experience with LabWindows/CVI, C/C++, Python, or similar languages for automated test development.
• Experience with minimal direction, manage multiple units/tests in parallel, and communicate technical findings to cross‑functional teams.

#MPR #MFGCMPP

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.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.