Principal/Senior Principal Systems Engineer Signals Processing
Northrop Grumman· Defense· Sep 21, 2026 · 1mo ago
United States-California-McClellan
In office
Full-time
Principal
$168K–$230K est.
5+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description
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 seeking a Principal Systems Engineer or a Sr Principal Systems Engineer with a Signal Processing background to work in Sacramento, California . Join a team that develops transformative signal processing solutions to solve complex challenges in Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Your work will contribute to real-world national security initiatives. We offer a wide variety of professional development opportunities, mentorship by senior engineers, and access to cutting-edge tools and technologies like Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for deployment of advanced signal processing algorithms.
The engineer will be expected to have a basic understanding of core communications systems engineering concepts from their electrical engineering degree to perform analysis, devise requirements for and implement the signal processing algorithms.
Responsibilities:
• Perform architecture trades, design analysis, and performance modeling
• Provide engineering support for hardware development efforts.
• Design detection and characterization algorithms for Radio Frequency communication signals
• Implement detection and characterization algorithms
• Test signal processing algorithms and receivers in a lab environment.
• Design, test, and produce detection, characterization, and geolocation algorithms.
• Support the deployment of core products on new platforms (e.g., manned aircraft, drones, ships, etc.).
This position can be filled at the level 3 Principal or Level 4 Senior Principal based on specific requirements listed below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Systems Engineer Level 3:
• BS degree in STEM with 5 years relevant experience; or MS degree in STEM field with 3 years of related experience; or PhD in STEM field with 1 year of related experience
• Domain Expertise: Understanding tactical SIGINT operations, military capabilities, and geolocation concepts.
• Requirements Translation: Ability to convert complex operational needs into technical system requirements
• DSP Fundamentals: Understanding of modulation/demodulation, FFT/spectral analysis, filtering (FIR/IIR), resampling, channelization, and detection/estimation theory.
• SIGINT/RF Fundamentals: Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR), RF front-ends, IQ data, geolocation techniques (DF/beamforming), and signal characterization
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance
Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal Systems Engineer Level 4:
• BS in STEM degree with 8 years relevant experience; or MS degree in a STEM field with 6 years of related experience; or PhD in STEM field with 3 years of related experience
• Domain Expertise: Understanding tactical SIGINT operations, military capabilities, and geolocation concepts.
• Requirements Translation: Ability to convert complex operational needs into technical system requirements
• DSP Fundamentals: Understanding of modulation/demodulation, FFT/spectral analysis, filtering (FIR/IIR), resampling, channelization, and detection/estimation theory.
• SIGINT/RF Expertise: Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR), RF front-ends, IQ data, geolocation techniques (DF/beamforming), and signal characterization
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)
• Practical experience or coursework in programming languages such as C++, Rust, or Python.
• Experience with simulating and processing RF communications in GNU Radio.
• Agile/DevOps: Experience in Agile software development and containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes for deploying SIGINT applications
• GPU Acceleration: Demonstrated experience with CUDA for algorithm optimization
• Active TS with SCI clearance
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What We Can Offer You:
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!
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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00
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 northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off
Professional Development