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Principal Electronics Engineer - Communications

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

Palmdale, CA
Top Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Career Level not specified
$114,000 - $171,000

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal Electronics Engineer - Communications to join our team in Palmdale, CA. and will be primarily based within our office spaces to support the program and business needs. Operating on our 9/80 schedule, meaning you will get every other Friday off.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is NO remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.

A successful candidate will leverage extensive hands-on experience with Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication systems, AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) and expertise in supporting test events, system verification, and troubleshooting to ensure successful integration and communication test outcomes:

Roles and Responsibilities may include:
  • Hands-on work with LOS and BLOS communication systems, including modems, up/down converters, and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna systems.
  • Providing direct user support, engineering expertise, and troubleshooting during test events.
  • Providing tasking direction to Field Service Representatives to perform field maintenance, upgrades, and performance analyses for assigned communication subsystem.
  • Addressing and correcting deliverable subsystem performance concerns via program identified tools/systems on behalf of the Communications technical team.
  • Leading Root Cause/Corrective Action Investigations for issues related to assigned communication subsystem.
  • Identifying opportunities for deliverable system improvement and working with engineering teams to implement in accordance with approved program processes.
  • Reporting Comms subsystem status to programmatic and technical team leadership and identifying risks/issues/concerns to prevent increased cost and/or schedule loss.
  • Conducting field maintenance of communications hardware.
  • The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.


Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 years of related engineering experience.
  • Strong understanding of RF signal chains and system-level integration of Communication components.
  • Experience in Communications system integration
  • Experience with modulation/demodulation and coding techniques as related to communications systems
  • Experience with RF and Network based test equipment to include oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and power meters
  • A U.S. Citizen with Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance OR active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
  • Active DoD Top Secret SCI clearance with SCI (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Networking Experience (Layer 2/3 Networking and training/certifications (Network+, Security+, CCNA, etc.)
  • Experience with RF performance assessment through link margin and antenna pattern analyses
  • Experience with supplier/subcontract management
  • Familiarity with common industry standards related to communications and network-based systems, such as MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, Ethernet (IPv4/IPv6)


Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

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. 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 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.
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Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
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Clearance Level
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