Principal/Sr Principal PCB Producibility Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 108,800 - 203,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Training and Development

Flexible 9/80 Schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU) in Linthicum, MD is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal PCB Producibility Engineer to support complex RF, digital, mixed-signal, and power PCB designs through all phases, with 10% travel and a DoD Secret clearance.

You will conduct DFM reviews, review fabrication documentation, and liaise with PCB fabricators while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support sourcing strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science/engineering with 5+ years of PCB producibility experience (or advanced degrees with fewer years).
• Experience in high-volume or high-complexity PCB environments (digital/mixed-signal/RF).
• Proficiency with automated DFM tools (Valor NPI, Genesis, CAM350, Polar).
• Familiarity with IPC 2221/6012/613 and GD&T for PCB design.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for design of RF, digital, mixed-signal, and power PCBs across all design phases.
• Lead DFM reviews to ensure producibility, yield, cost, and schedule targets.
• Review PCB documentation for fabrication concerns including drawings and BOMs.
• Serve as liaison between design teams and PCB fabricators for quotes and issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support PCB sourcing strategy and supplier readiness.
• Assist with PCB layouts from placement to routing ensuring SI, power distribution, and EMC requirements.

Skills

PCB Producibility

DFM reviews

Impedance calculations

Signal integrity

EMC requirements

Vendor liaison

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science/Engineering

Master’s Degree in Science/Engineering

Ph.D. in Science/Engineering

Tools

Valor NPI

Genesis

CAM350

Polar

Mentor Xpedition

SolidWorks

NX

Enovia

Job description

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance required for start: Yes – Clearance type: Secret. Travel: Yes, 10% of time.

Job Overview

Principal or Senior Principal PCB Producibility Engineer based out of Linthicum, MD.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide engineer support for the design of complex RF, Digital, Mixed Signal, and Power PCBs through all design phases. Advise on material selection, define stack-up, perform impedance calculations, and review routing rules.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure PCB designs are producible and meet yield, cost, schedule targets.
• Review PCB documentation for fabrication concerns, including drawings, parts lists, and electronic data.
• Serve as liaison between internal design teams and PCB fabricators for quotes, technical questions, revision notices, and issue investigation.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (design, Global Supply Chain, PCB Category Management, and PCB Fabricators) to support PCB sourcing strategy and supplier readiness reviews.
• Assist with PCB layouts, from component placement to routing, creating multi‑layer board designs that meet signal integrity, power distribution, and EMC requirements.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external PCB fabricators and designers to understand capabilities, industry standards, and technology trends.

Basic Qualifications – Principal PCB Producibility Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years experience or Master’s degree with 3 years experience or Ph.D. with 1 year experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related fields. Additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain/maintain an Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Minimum of 5 years PCB Producibility, PCB design or fabrication experience in a high‑volume or high‑complexity environment (digital, mixed‑signal, or RF).
• Minimum of 3 years experience with automated DFM review tools (Valor NPI, Genesis, CAM350, and Polar).
• Minimum of 3 years working knowledge of IPC 2221, IPC 6012 & 13, IPC 7351, and GD&T for PCB design.

Basic Qualifications – Senior Principal PCB Producibility Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years experience or Master’s degree with 6 years experience or Ph.D. with 4 years experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related fields. Additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain/maintain an Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Minimum of 8 years PCB Producibility, PCB design or fabrication experience in a high‑volume or high‑complexity environment (digital, mixed‑signal, or RF).
• Minimum of 5 years experience with automated DFM review tools (Valor NPI, Genesis, CAM350, and Polar).
• Minimum of 5 years working knowledge of IPC 2221, IPC 6012 & 13, IPC 7351, and GD&T for PCB design.

Preferred Qualifications – Principal/Senior PCB Producibility Engineer

• Current or active DoD Secret clearance.
• Expert working knowledge of PCB design, IPC Standards, PCB fabrication processes and equipment.
• Familiarity with blind/buried vias, sequential lamination, and rigid‑flex processes.
• Expert in PCB fabrication tools such as Valor NPI, Genesis200, CAM350, and Polar.
• Experience developing design tools and scripts (Python, C/C++, Valor NPI).
• Expert knowledge of Circuit Card Assembly manufacturing.
• Expert working knowledge of the Mentor Xpedition software suite.
• Experience with complex RF/microwave PCB design or high‑speed digital design (≥5Gbps).
• Experience with advanced PCB Technology such as High‑Density Interconnect (HDI) and/or Ultra HDI material and processing.
• Experience working directly with advanced high‑complexity PCB fabricators.
• Willingness to travel to PCB Fabricators and Material Suppliers for technical collaboration.
• Familiarity with 3‑D mechanical integration tools (SolidWorks, NX, Enovia).
• Flexibility and willingness to deal with diverse requirements and complex trade‑offs, often outside industry standards.
• Familiarity with Root Cause Correction Action (RCCA) methodology.
• Demonstrated success working in collaborative, fast‑paced development teams.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with cross‑functional teams and support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Expert written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting technical concepts to cross‑functional teams.

Benefits

• Health Plan
• Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development
• Flexible 9/80 Work Schedule (where available)

Salary

Primary Level: $108,800.00 – $163,200.00

Secondary Level: $135,800.00 – $203,600.00

Legal Notice

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. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and other restricted positions.