Staff Software Engineer/Project Lead

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 177,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Cincinnati (Xetron) seeks a cleared Staff Software Engineer to lead a team developing advanced DSP algorithms in MATLAB or C/C++/Python for RF and signal processing systems. You will work across Linux/Windows environments with a focus on real-time performance and DOD objectives.

The role requires Top-Secret clearance, US citizenship, and experience leading defense programs within an Agile framework. A 9/80 work schedule may apply and a competitive package is offered.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Electrical or Computer or related Engineering with 7–12+ years of experience.
• US Citizenship required and Top-Secret clearance.
• Experience as a technical lead on a defense project.
• Experience in Agile software development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of software engineers on cutting-edge algorithms in MATLAB or C/C++/Python.
• Develop DSP-focused software for RF and signal processing in Linux/Windows environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware, RF, and cyber software design.

Skills

MATLAB DSP

C/C++

Python

Embedded SW

FPGA design

VHDL/Verilog

CUDA/OpenCL

GPU development

Education

BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering

MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering

PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Questa

Modelsim

Xilinx FPGAs

Altera/Intel FPGAs

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 – Cincinnati (aka Xetron) is part of the Mission Systems sector, focused on the development of new capabilities for our military and intelligence customers around the globe. 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.

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 design
• Proficient 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 FPGAs

Active 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.

Benefits

• health insurance coverage
• life and disability insurance
• savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• 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.