Principal / Sr Principal RF Microwave Design Engineer (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Principal or Sr Principal RF Microwave Design Engineer in Boulder, CO, to advance RF/payload/communication systems. You will lead design, modeling, and analysis of RF systems, antennas, and links, supporting proposals and program execution.

A clearpath to impact in space-grade communications awaits. The role requires a STEM degree with extensive RF experience, active Secret clearance, and hands-on MATLAB/Simulink, STK, HFSS, and DOORS proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience or Master’s with 3+ years or PhD with 1+ year (Principal)
• Bachelor’s with 8+ years or Master’s with 6+ years or PhD with 4+ years (Sr Principal)
• Must have an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application
• Experience in RF systems analysis, modeling, and simulation

Responsibilities

• Conduct RF/payload/communication system analysis, modeling, and simulation
• Design and develop RF systems and components architectures
• Develop antenna designs including reflector and array systems
• Prepare specifications and analyses for customer requirements
• Support Basis of Estimates for proposals
• Execute trades and analyses for RF systems and circuitry
• Model and simulate RF systems for high-frequency/microwave applications

Skills

Signal Processing understanding

Strong communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

MATLAB

Microsoft Office

STK

HFSS

DOORS

MBSE (SysML)

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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 is seeking an Principal or Sr Principal RF Microwave Design Engineer to support our team in Boulder, CO.

Job Responsibilities

• Conducting RF/payload/communication system analysis, modeling, and simulation
• Designing and developing RF systems and corresponding analyses
• Designs, develops, tests radio frequency (RF) and/or microwave systems architecture, components, circuits, or products.
• Includes antenna design, both reflector and array systems, frequency synthesizers, transmitters and receivers.
• Generating specifications and analyses for ambiguous customer requirements
• Supporting RF engineering Basis of Estimates for proposals
• Execute trades and analyses for Radio Frequency systems and circuitry
• Design and develop RF systems and corresponding analyses, such as link budgets, cascade analyses, and frequency response
• Model and simulate RF systems for high-frequency and microwave applications

Basic Qualifications

• Principal: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience – OR – PHD with 1 year of relevant experience
• Sr Principal: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience – OR – PHD with 4 years of relevant experience
• Must have an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.
• Understanding of Digital Communications and Signal Processing.
• Experience in modeling, simulation, and/or analysis of RF Systems, including Space-to-Ground and Payload Systems Design and integration of SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, and phased‑array and parabolic antennas.
• Experience performing Link Budget Analysis to design and optimize the communication link between the satellite and the ground station and/or Cascade Analysis to evaluate the overall performance of the payload and associated components
• Proficient with MATLAB
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive RF/payload/communication experience in system analysis, modeling and simulation.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the area of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) such as Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog analysis and testing; digital channelization, digital beamforming, digital receiver theory and technology
• Knowledge of RF performance metrics (G/T, tracking performance, axial ratio, phase variation) and EMI/RFI shielding requirements
• Ability to analyze and evaluate complex satellite test data, extensive experience working with spectrum analyzers, network analyzers and vector signal analyzers and their associated data.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink in modeling complex communication systems.
• Experience with Basis of Estimates
• Understanding of MBSE (SysML) and Experience with DOORS
• Familiarity with STK
• Familiarity with HFSS.
• Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility (either adjudicated or the ability to obtain SCI access)
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to work with uncertain or incomplete information
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

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

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.

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.

About the Company

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.