Staff Systems Signal Processing Engineer

Northrop Grumman; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Systems Signal Processing Engineer to lead design, development, integration, and verification of advanced signal processing solutions for complex sensor systems. The role is based in Linthicum, MD and will be 100% on-site.

You will guide architecture decisions, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with hardware, software, and integration teams to deploy algorithms on embedded platforms and FPGAs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field plus many years of experience as stated (12/10/8+).
• Experience with digital signal processing theory and application.
• Experience in MATLAB, Python, or similar computing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level architecture and design of signal processing chains for RF or multi-sensor systems.
• Develop and analyze signal processing algorithms for detection, estimation, tracking, classification, filtering, and data fusion.
• Conduct system modeling and simulation (MATLAB/Python/C++) to evaluate performance and robustness.

Skills

Digital signal processing

Algorithm development

System-level analysis

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

FPGAs

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We're looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we'll support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you'll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

We are seeking a Staff Systems Signal Processing Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, and verification of advanced signal processing solutions for complex sensor systems. The ideal candidate will be a technical leader with deep expertise in digital signal processing (DSP), algorithm development, and system-level performance analysis, capable of driving architecture decisions and mentoring junior engineers. This position is based out of Linthicum, MD and will be 100% on-site.

What You'll get to Do:

• Lead the system-level architecture and design of signal processing chains for RF or multi-sensor systems, from requirements through verification
• Develop and analyze signal processing algorithms for detection, estimation, tracking, classification, filtering, and data fusion.
• Perform system modeling and simulation (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and/or C++) to evaluate concept performance, trades, and robustness under representative operational scenarios.
• Define and flow down system and subsystem requirements, including performance budgets, interfaces, and key design parameters.
• Partner with hardware, software, and integration teams to implement algorithms on embedded processors, FPGAs, or real-time platforms; support optimization and HW/SW partitioning.
• Conduct system performance analysis, including SNR/CFAR analysis, detection and false-alarm trade studies, sensitivity and robustness assessments, and end-to-end verification against requirements.
• Lead or support lab/field test activities, including test plan development, data collection, data reduction, and post-test analysis.
• Prepare and deliver technical reviews and briefings to internal leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams; clearly communicate complex technical concepts and tradeoffs.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to early-career and mid-level engineers in signal processing, modeling, and systems engineering practices.
• Support capture and proposal efforts by contributing to technical concepts, architectures, and requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience, master's degree with 10 years of experience or Ph.D. with 8 year of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• A current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP) prior to start
• Experience with digital signal processing theory and application, including detection theory, estimation, filtering, spectral analysis, and time-frequency methods.
• E xperience developing and analyzing algorithms in MATLAB, Python, or similar scientific computing environments
• Experience in system-level signal processing for radar or similar sensing systems.
• Experience with requirements development, system architecture, and verification in a structured systems engineering environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or PhD in a STEM discipline
• Experience with r