Systems Engineer/Principal Systems Engineer Signals Processing

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Training and Development

9/80 Schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. is seeking Systems Engineer professionals to work on signal‑processing solutions for SIGINT, using Ultra‑Wideband SDRs and GPUs. The role involves architecture trades, algorithm development, and hardware support in a challenging defense context.

Positions require strong programming in C++, Rust, or Python, experience with SDRs and GNU Radio, and familiarity with Agile/DevOps practices. Relocation assistance may be available and a Top Secret clearance with SCI is preferred.

Qualifications

• BS in STEM with 2+ years of related experience or MS with related experience; PhD with 1 year possible.
• Active Top Secret with SCI clearance is preferred.
• Experience designing and simulating RF signal-processing in SDRs and GNU Radio.
• Programming in C++, Rust, or Python with GPU acceleration knowledge.
• Familiarity with Agile/DevOps and containerization tools like Docker/Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Perform architecture trades, design analysis, and performance modeling.
• Provide engineering support for hardware development efforts.
• Design detection and characterization algorithms for RF signals.
• Implement detection and estimation algorithms and test in lab environments.
• Support deployment of core products on platforms such as aircraft, ships, or drones.

Skills

C++

Rust

Python

CUDA

Education

BS in STEM

MS in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Bitbucket

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Overview

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people’s lives today and for generations to come. We seek people who have bold new ideas, courage, and a pioneering spirit to invent the future while enjoying their work. Join Northrop Grumman Mission Systems as a Systems Engineer or Principal Systems Engineer with a signal‑processing background and work in Sacramento, California to develop transformative signal‑processing solutions for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Your work will support real‑world national security initiatives using Ultra‑Wideband (UWB) Software‑Defined Radios (SDRs) and GPUs.

Responsibilities

• Perform architecture trades, design analysis, and performance modeling.
• Provide engineering support for hardware development efforts.
• Design detection and characterization algorithms for RF communication signals.
• Implement detection and characterization algorithms.
• Test signal‑processing algorithms and receivers in a lab environment.
• Design, test, and produce detection, characterization, and geolocation algorithms.
• Support the deployment of core products on new platforms (e.g., manned aircraft, drones, ships, etc.).

Basic Qualifications – Levels 2 & 3

• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret with SCI clearance.
• Command of core communications systems engineering concepts to perform analysis, devise requirements for and implement signal‑processing algorithms.
• Domain expertise in tactical SIGINT operations, military capabilities, and geolocation concepts.
• Ability to convert complex operational needs into technical system requirements.
• DSP fundamentals: modulation/demodulation, FFT/spectral analysis, FIR/IIR filtering, resampling, channelization, and detection/estimation theory.
• Signal‑processing skills with Software‑Defined Radios (SDR), RF front‑ends, IQ data, and geolocation techniques such as DF/beamforming.

Experience Levels

Systems Engineer – Level 2: BS in STEM with 2years relevant experience; or MS in STEM with related experience.

Principal Systems Engineer – Level 3: BS in STEM with 5years relevant experience; or MS in STEM with 3years experience; or PhD in STEM with 1year experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Top Secret with SCI clearance.
• Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket).
• Programming skills in C++, Rust, or Python.
• Experience simulating and processing RF communications in GNU Radio.
• Agile/DevOps experience and containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• CUDA experience for GPU‑accelerated algorithm optimization.

Benefits

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

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 – $137,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 – $171,000.00

EEO & Citizenship

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.