Sr. / Principal RF Electrical Engineer (Top Secret) – Space / Satellite Systems – Dulles, VA

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.

We have an opening for a Top Secret cleared RF Electrical Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in the Tactical Space organization. This position will be located in Dulles, VA.

Job Summary:

In this role, you will work in a Technical Lead role on National Security Systems (NSS) programs. You will focus on the development of space communications systems and concepts through the production of flight programs.

As a radio frequency (RF) subsystem lead engineer, you will work in a team environment to define and describe robust RF solutions to challenging applications while working within system constraints on mass, power, and volume. To be successful, you should have strong technical skills, ability to organize and direct the efforts of a multi-disciplined engineering team, and demonstrated motivation to investigate new concepts.

Job Responsibilities:

In particular, you will be involved in:

• Design and analysis of communications systems for satellite applications. You must be familiar with RF analyses such as link budgets, digital modulation/coding, gain/loss budgets, noise figure, etc.
• Requirements flow-down from top-level customer documents through subsystem-level definition to component-level specification. You will be expected to produce clear, concisely written documents that will be used as the technical basis for high dollar value procurements of RF equipment such as converters, filters and high power amplifiers
• Prepare and present design reviews for internal and external customers. You will have regular interaction with the internal engineering and program management team as well as external customers
• Subcontractor management, oversight of RF component design and development (travel required,) and manufacturing interface definition including performance specification, interface control drawing, and statement of work generation. You will work with potential subcontractors to ensure any technical solution meets the top-level customer's needs while satisfying system and program constraints
• After transition from concept to production program, you may also support ongoing technical interface with the subcontractors during testing, component manufacturing, as well as integration and test of the communications system including unit-level functional and environmental testing, spacecraft level testing, and in-orbit checkout
• You should have familiarity with the operation of standard RF test equipment (i.e., spectrum analyzers, power meters, network analyzers)
• Possess experience in the areas of satellite communications subsystem design, operation, and/or repair and maintenance In this role, you will lead a team of RF engineers responsible for designing and delivering components (i.e., antennas, filters, transceivers, switches, etc.) for the overall RF subsystem. As the RF lead, you will also be working with the other leads and systems engineering to develop and deliver the spacecraft on time and under budget

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have U.S. Citizenship with a current or active Top Secret level clearance
• BSEE (or related field) with some combination of the following course work: microwave theory, satellite communications, radio-wave propagation, electromagnetics, and antennas. Should possess good understanding of communications and microwave theory

• 5 years of related experience (Or 3 years with a Masters; or a PhD)
• Good oral presentation skills and comfort with customer interaction. Ability to write technical documents clearly and concisely
• Experience with  specification development, procurement & testing of major telemetry, tracking (TT&C)  and control transceivers for space to ground communications
• Experience with link budgets for TT&C system for various space vehicle orbits and missions
• Experience with electromagnetic interference (EMI) analysis and mitigation techniques 
• You should have familiarity with the operation of standard RF test equipment (i.e., spectrum analyzers, power meters, network analyzers)

Preferred Qualifications:

• MSEE a strong plus
• Ability to work with others from engineering and non-engineering disciplines in a fast-paced team environment
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel)
• Experience with digital modulation/demodulation schemes for high data rates • Experience with microwave component/system measurement
• Familiar with engineering analysis tools such as M ATLAB/Simulink and STK
• Experience leading engineering teams in development or production of RF systems
• Familiar with cost account management concepts, including cost and labor estimation, task scheduling and earned value tracking

• Experience with the analysis required to verify RF system reliability over the required mission life and space environments
• Experience with performing RF system design trades and analysis required to optimize system performance

The Northrop Grumman Tactical Space Division is a strategic partner specializing in commercial and classified partnerships with the design, delivery, operation and sustainment of satellites and human spacecraft.  We support science and space exploration through our various partnerships, including NASA’s Artemis program with the goal to return humans to the Moon in 2024 and the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) program that has discovered more than twenty confirmed plants.  Recognized as an industry leader, we also develop highly specialized space and satellite components. 

Northrop Grumman offers a competitive and robust benefits program.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

Medical

Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

Paid Time Off

Health & Wellness Resources

Employee Discounts

Flexible Schedules (For example the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work)

For more details please visit our total rewards site or chat with one of our recruiters to learn more.

Link: www.northropgrumman.com/benefits

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Salary Range: $101,200 USD - $151,800 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.