Space Principal/ Sr. Principal Hardware Engineer (Circuit Card Focused)

$97,500 - $146,300/Yr

Northrop Grumman - Boulder, CO

Full-time - Senior

Boulder, CO

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Principal Hardware Engineer / Sr. Principal Hardware Engineer at Northrop Grumman will be responsible for developing and sustaining systems that utilize current and emerging technologies. This role involves working on critical national defense missions, focusing on the design, development, and analysis of Ground Station requirements, as well as implementing hardware and RF systems to support Ground Based Systems architecture. The ideal candidate will possess a strong drive for problem-solving and innovation, contributing to projects that are often deemed impossible until solved.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, and analysis of Ground Station requirements.
• Implement Hardware (HW) and Radio Frequency (RF) systems in support of Ground Based Systems architecture.
• Conduct technical analysis of product implementations, modifications, and enhancements according to customer specifications.
• Test and understand a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including satellite modems and general communications equipment.
• Evaluate and resolve engineering-related production problems related to manufacturing, design, quality, and material engineering.
• Analyze engineering specifications and drawings, conferring with quality, material, manufacturing, and subcontractors to provide and obtain technical information.
• Investigate reports of defective, damaged, or malfunctioning parts, assemblies, equipment, or systems.
• Examine, measure, inspect, or test defective parts for conformance and formulate corrective actions.
• Apply electrical, electronic, and mechanical principles to components and systems, including assembly, analysis, and documentation of results.
• Support and participate in the design, test, modification, fabrication, and assembly of electro-mechanical systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in STEM discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of related experience, or a master's degree and 3 years of experience, or a PhD and 0 years of experience; or 9 years of related experience in lieu of degree for Principal Hardware Engineer.
• Bachelor's Degree in STEM discipline from an accredited university and 9 years of related experience, or a master's degree and 7 years of experience, or a PhD and 4 years of experience; or 13 years of related experience in lieu of degree for Sr. Principal Hardware Engineer.
• Ability to obtain an active Secret level DoD Clearance.
• Experience developing ground terminals (S and K band systems specifically is a plus).
• Experience with tactical datalinks and fiber-optic links (using fiber testing tools for troubleshooting are a plus).
• Signal loss & link budget calculation experience.
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) experience (specifically Modems and Front-End Processors for antennas).
• HEMP hardened system development and/or testing experience.
• Environmental hardening and/or testing experience.
• Power system (DC & low voltage AC) design experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or RF Engineering or related discipline.
• Circuit Card Analysis and/or design experience.
• Familiarity with functional analysis, detailed studies, and interface definition to translate system requirements into subsystem specifications.
• Familiarity with integration, installation, test, and documentation of new and/or modified capabilities into complex systems.
• Familiarity with hand tools and test equipment, and the use thereof.
• Familiarity with hand soldering/J-STD-001 Certified.
• Ability to travel between 10 and 25% of the year.
• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance or the ability to obtain.
• Military experience or experience interacting with military customers.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business