Principal / Sr. Principal RF/Microwave Systems Engineer, Transformational Computing

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.

The Transformational Computing business within Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is a highly motivated, talented, and growing organization focused on advancing the science and engineering of superconducting electronic systems into new capabilities and products. Transformational Computing is developing the technologies to transform computing beyond Moore’s Law by advancing development of computer architectures, processing and memory subsystems, and large-scale high-performance computing systems.

The Systems Engineering group is seeking an experienced RF/Microwave Engineer w/ Simulation/ Modeling to perform front-end system design activities and product development. Reporting to the Systems Engineering Lead, the RF/Microwave Engineer will collaborate with research scientists and product teams to perform system architecture and design activities. As a member of the product development teams, the RF/Microwave Engineer will develop advanced computing research into product designs and architectures.  While the focus is on hardware/software systems, a cross-functional team will be needed that can apply aspects of microwave and analog electronics, digital hardware design, mechanical and thermal design, and environmental control.

The RF/Microwave Engineer will:

• Lead the systems engineering effort, support systems and the target transformational computing system. This senior systems engineering role is expected to work across the transformational computing group.
• The systems engineer will be responsible for the definition of system requirements and associated verification and validation approaches. The system engineer shall be expected to work with customers, scientists and engineers.
• The systems engineering effort will use a model-based systems engineering methodology as adapted to support an R&D environment in support of the development of tools and advanced computational systems.
• As part of a cross-functional systems team, mentor, and cross-train other team members.
• Lead the trade study definition, metrics development and evaluations for the use of novel technologies to aid in the development of support tools and target transformational computing systems.
• Working with the SEIT Lead, they will lead, establish, and enforce the adoption of standard processes, configuration management, and good engineering practices
• Engage in systems thinking and demonstrate technical leadership.
• Willingness to learn and understand state of the art concepts and technologies that are foundational to the transformational computing technical architectures.

This position will serve on-site in Linthicum/ Annapolis Junction, MD.

This position can be filled at either the Principal or Sr. Principal level.

Basic Qualifications for Principal RF/Microwave Engineer:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a similar technical discipline with 5 years of related experience, or 3 years with a Master's Degree, or 0 years with a PhD.
• US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with CI/FS poly clearance per business requirements.
• Experience and specific technical knowledge of at least two of the following:
  • Solid understanding of circuit design theory; extensive hands-on custom circuit design experience.
  • Working knowledge of the IC design flow including schematic capture, simulation, layout and physical verification (DRC/LVS).
  • Proficiency with modern IC design tools (preferably Cadence Virtuoso) for schematic capture, circuit simulation, and custom layout; physical verification using Assura or Calibre.
  • Ability to oversee all phases of IC design from specification, to design and tapeout.
  • Good understanding of IC manufacturing and testing processes.
  • Experience with product validation and testing
    • RF and/or microwave design or test at component, board, cable assembly level.
    • S-Parameter measurement and analysis.
    • Experience with PNA, Spectrum Analyzer, TDR measurement and analysis.
    • Characterization of component performance parameters.

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal RF/Microwave Test Engineer:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a similar technical discipline with 9 years of related experience, or 7 years with a Master's Degree, or 4 years with a PhD.
• US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with CI/FS poly clearance per business requirements.
• Experience and specific technical knowledge of at least two of the following:
  • Solid understanding of circuit design theory; extensive hands-on custom circuit design experience.
  • Working knowledge of the IC design flow including schematic capture, simulation, layout and physical verification (DRC/LVS).
  • Proficiency with modern IC design tools (preferably Cadence Virtuoso) for schematic capture, circuit simulation, and custom layout; physical verification using Assura or Calibre.
  • Ability to oversee all phases of IC design from specification, to design and tapeout.
  • Good understanding of IC manufacturing and testing processes.
  • Experience with product validation and testing
    • RF and/or microwave design or test at component, board, cable assembly level.
    • S-Parameter measurement and analysis.
    • Experience with PNA, Spectrum Analyzer, TDR measurement and analysis.
    • Characterization of component performance parameters.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Principal RF/Microwave Test Engineer:

• Experience leading cross functional teams.
• Experience in custom hardware system design.
• Knowledge or experience in microwave, high speed digital, or cryogenic test.
• Active TS/SCI with CI/FS poly security clearance.

This position reports to Linthicum, MD, USA, however, this position can also be worked from Annapolis Junction, MD, MD, USA.

Salary Range: $99,800 USD - $157,000 USD

Salary Range 2: $123,800 USD - $194,500 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.