Sr Principal Engineer Hardware
- Pay
- $129,300 – $193,900 per year
- Location
- United States-California-San Diego
- Listed
- 7 days ago
About the role
- RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
- CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
- CLEARANCE TYPE: SAP
- TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
About the role
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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and Cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has an opening for a Sr Principal Hardware Engineer (Level 4) to join our Manufacturing Engineering team. This position will be located at our Mission Systems Sector in San Diego, CA.
The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s San Diego Operations Test Engineering Department. The department supports the Communication Systems (CS) Business Unit and Secure Processing and Networking (SPAN) Business Unit within the Networked Information Solutions (NIS) Division of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
This position is fulltime onsite and is located at the Rancho Carmel campus in San Diego and will also support our Spectrum campus in San Diego if needed. This role reports to the Test Engineering Manager in San Diego. Our expertise is in delivering complex communications solutions to enable modern battlefields and support communications missions.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to
- Design, develop, and implement testing methods and equipment
- Troubleshoot and support RF and digital hardware
- Support First Time Through Test Yield (FTTTY) and hardware deliveries
- Analyze test data and identify early trends
- Compile data and define changes required in testing equipment, testing procedures, manufacturing processes, or new testing requirements
- Collaborate with design engineering to develop and implement hardware improvements and solutions
- Support technicians through troubleshoot and training
- Monitor product yields and aggressively work to maintain program yield targets
- Support program meetings in developing root cause and corrective actions
- Attend program meetings to report yield issues, yield detractor investigation finding, and corrective actions
- Interface with manufacturing management, test technicians, production engineers, design engineers, system engineers, program management and program support teams
Additional information
Scheduled telework days can be approved at manager's discretion. This position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field plus 8 or more years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field plus 6 years of experience.
- Experience leading technicians through complex troubleshooting techniques
- Experience communicating effectively to delegate troubleshooting tasks and obtain results
- Experience in working in classified and unclassified networks, network storage devices, security appliances, and government external interfaces.
- Working knowledge of engineering principles, processes, and software/hardware integration.
- Experience performing essential electrical and RF troubleshooting using equipment such as but not limited to: Multimeter, Network/Spectrum Analyzer, Oscilloscope, etc.
- Experience reading and interpreting specifications, schematics and block diagrams
- Experience with measuring test equipment effectiveness including availability, performance, and quality.
- Understanding of Power Amplifiers
- Hands-on troubleshooting of electrical/electro-mechanical hardware
- Demonstrated analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Experience compiling data and defining changes required in testing equipment, testing procedures, manufacturing processes, or new testing requirements.
- Current SAP access or ability to obtain SAP access.
- Must be a US Citizen.
Preferred Qualifications
- MS degree in Electrical Engineering, or related fields, with specialization in RF.
- Experience of C, C++, LabVIEW or other scripting languages
- Experience with Power Amplifiers and advanced troubleshooting techniques
- Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance.
#MPR
Pay and benefits
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following
Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off, and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Primary Level Salary Range
$129,300.00 - $193,900.00
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.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
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. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
From Ngc's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on November 2, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
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What is the salary for the Sr Principal Engineer Hardware role at Ngc?
The Sr Principal Engineer Hardware posting at Ngc states compensation of $129,300 – $193,900 per year. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Ngc's official career site.
Where is the Sr Principal Engineer Hardware job at Ngc located?
This Sr Principal Engineer Hardware position at Ngc is located in United States-California-San Diego. Always check Ngc's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
How do I apply for the Sr Principal Engineer Hardware position at Ngc?
This listing links directly to Ngc's Workday application page. You can apply directly on Ngc's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Workday application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.