Staff Software Engineer/Project Lead

Northrop Grumman; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 177,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Cincinnati (aka Xetron) seeks a cleared Staff Software Engineer to lead a team developing cutting-edge algorithms in MATLAB or CUDA/OpenCL, Python, C/C++ on Linux/Windows environments.

The role focuses on DSP, RF signal processing, and Digital Communication Systems with real-time deployment and AI/ML techniques. Eligible for Top Secret clearance, with a 9/80 schedule and strong collaboration across engineering teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering with 12+ years experience, OR MS with 10+ years, OR PhD with 7+ years
• US Citizenship is required
• Top-Secret clearance is required
• Experience as a technical lead on a defense project
• Experience in developing software in the Agile methodology
• Proficiency with MATLAB and DSP focus
• Embedded SW or FPGA or AI/ML design, Proficiency in C/C++, Python
• FPGA design on low SWAP systems; DSPs and digital comms knowledge
• Experience with AI/ML for signal processing and real-time deployment
• GPU development experience (CUDA/OpenCL) for real-time workloads
• HDL verification tools experience (Questa/Modelsim)
• Experience with Xilinx/Intel (Altera)/Microsemi FPGAs

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of software engineers on cutting-edge algorithms in MATLAB or CUDA/OpenCL, Python, C/C++
• Develop software for signal processing, RF chains, and digital communications
• Collaborate with hardware, DSP, and cyber teams across programs
• Contribute to fast-moving defense programs with ownership and visibility

Skills

Technical leadership

Agile development

Cross-functional collaboration

Defense project experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

CUDA/OpenCL

Python

C/C++

Linux/UNIX

Windows

Questa/Modelsim

FPGA design

Job description

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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.

Northrop Grumman – Cincinnati (aka Xetron)

Our Northrop Grumman Cincinnati, Ohio small business culture, operates collaboratively within a larger corporation providing the benefits of both. This unique relationship offers employees the ability to know everyone at the site while working on technologies and products that are beyond state-of-the-art. You and your team will wrestle with the next big problems in an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation, sharing your expertise while learning from the expert next to you. Remember when you were excited about getting to work because the challenge of the problem, the importance of the solution and the fun you had with your team? It's that kind of place! But don’t take my word for it. See for yourself! See why we receive comments on our YouTube Videos like "This company is insanely advanced" and "Wow. This is mind blowing." See some of our recent Awards and Recognition and read about some of the reasons to live in Cincinnati.

Why This Role Is Exciting

• Mission‑Driven Work: Directly contribute to systems that safeguard nations and support critical national‑security objectives
• Rapid Growth Environment: Play a pivotal role on fast‑moving programs that are expanding quickly, giving you ownership and visibility
• Cross‑Functional Influence: Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply‑chain teams, and become a trusted advisor to senior leadership and external partners

We are seeking a cleared Staff Software Engineer who is self‑motivated, energetic individual who will be responsible for leading a team of software engineers developing cutting edge algorithms in MATLAB or other programming languages such as CUDA/OpenCL, Python, C/C++ in Linux/UNIX or Windows environments. The preferred candidate will have experience with various Signal Processing algorithms both in time and frequency domains, understanding of Digital Communication Systems and various modulation techniques as well as RF signal processing chains and link budgets.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineers Contribute To a Broad Range Of Applications With Exposure To a Variety Of Programs And Technologies That Provide Critical Solutions To US Government Intelligence Agencies And The Department Of Defense. Those Technologies Include

• RADAR (SAR/ISAR)
• LPI/LPD waveforms
• EW techniques
• Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
• Image Processing and AI/ML techniques

As Staff Software Engineer on hardware projects you will be part of a cross‑discipline, highly seasoned and talented team with experience in state‑of‑the‑art RF, Antenna Design, DSP, Digital Hardware Design and Cyber Software Design, amongst others. We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, on the ground, air and space.

Basic Qualifications

• BS Degree in Electrical, Computer or related Engineering discipline with 12 years of experience, OR MS Degree in Electrical, Computer or related Engineering discipline with 10 years of experience, OR PhD Degree in Electrical, Computer or related Engineering discipline with 7 years of experience
• US Citizenship is required
• Top-Secret clearance is required
• Experience as a technical lead on a defense project
• Experience in developing software in the Agile methodology

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient with MATLAB, with a Digital Signal Processing focus
• Proficient in Embedded SW or FPGA or AI/ML designProficient in C/C++, Python, Embedded SW Design in Linux/UNIX environments
• Proficient in FPGA design on low SWAP systems.
• Basic understanding of Digital Communication Systems and RF signal processing chains
• Experience applying AI/ML (e.g., deep learning, transformer, or reinforcement-learning models) to signal-processing techniques such as denoising, classification, source separation, or anomaly detection, with emphasis on real-time deployment and performance optimization.
• Experience in GPU Development (CUDA, OpenCL, or Vulkan) for real-time signal-processing workloads.
• Experience in Embedded Development in SoCs or DSPs
• Experience with VHDL (preferred) or Verilog
• Experience with HDL verification tools, such as Questa or Modelsim
• Experience with Xilinx, Altera (Intel) or Microsemi FPGAsActive

This position offers the option of a 9/80 work schedule. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine‑hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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.