Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret 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 a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission! Northrop Grumman offers challenging career opportunities in Hardware Engineering within the Mission Systems Sector that play a key role in the mission to protect our military personnel. The Hardware Engineering organization is dedicated to consistently providing high quality product designs in support of multiple product areas. The Design Data and Product Integrity Engineering (DDPIE) organization provides engineering support services for all programs at the Rolling Meadows campus including Design Layout Technology, Configuration Management, Data Management, Drafting, Standards and Components, Product Follow, and Product Integrity Engineering. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Principal/Sr. Principal Design Engineer to join its Design Layout Technology team. The Principal/Sr. Principal Design Engineer uses their expert knowledge in Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) fabrication to generate and maintain design rules, perform design for manufacturing checks, generate PCB notes for fabrication. Calculates layer stack-up based on industry standards, supplier capabilities, and engineering requirements. Utilizes computer-aided design graphic tools such as Cadence Allegro and Valor NPI to generate the required electronic data file outputs for fabrication and manufacturing and runs design for manufacturing checks. Uses their excellent communication skills to be the team's main interface with CCA and PCB suppliers. Understands technical theories of electrical and mechanical behavior of PCBs to influence layout decisions (i.e. impedance matching, differential pairs, strains and stresses, orientation of components, etc.) What You’ll Get to Do • Provide engineering support for the design of complex RF, Digital, Mixed Signal, and Power PCBs through all design phases. • Advise on material selection, define stack-up, perform impedance calculations, generate and maintain Design-for-Fabrication/Design-for-Manufacturing (DFF/DFM) specific routing rules, including fabrication drawing notes. • Conduct DFF/DFM reviews to ensure PCB designs are producible and meet yield, cost, schedule targets. • Utilizes computer-aided design graphic tools such as Cadence Allegro, Siemens Expedition, Polar SpeedStack and Valor NPI to generate the required electronic data file outputs for fabrication and manufacturing. • Review PCB documentation for fabrication concerns, including PCB drawings, parts lists, and electronic data. • Effectively read and understand all elements of the Northrop Grumman technical data/drawing/specification packages and translate for suppliers and team members. • Support internal design teams and PCB fabricators in addressing technical questions, reviewing revision notices, and investigating any PCB issues. • Collaborate with cross functional team—design teams, Global Supply Chain, PCB Category Management team, and PCB Fabricators to support PCB sourcing strategy and supplier readiness reviews. • Engage with Program, Engineering and Factory Cells to aid in resolving supplier-related manufacturing issues. • Assist with PCB layouts from component placement to routing, create multi-layer board designs that meet signal integrity, power distribution, and EMC requirements. • Build strong working relationships with internal and external PCB fabricators and PCB designers to understand capabilities, industry standards, and technology trends. This position is full-time and on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location Basic Qualifications for Principal PCB Producibility Engineer • Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of experience, master’s degree with 3 years of experience, Ph.D. with 1 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree • PCB Producibility, PCB design or fabrication experience in a high volume or high complexity environment (digital, mixed signal, or RF). • Experience with automated DFM review tools (Valor NPI, Genesis, CAM350, and Polar). • Working knowledge of IPC 2221, IPC 6012 & 13, IPC 7351, and GD&T for PCB design. • The ability to obtain/maintain an Active DoD Secret Clearance. • US Citizenship is required Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal PCB Producibility Engineer • Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years of experience, master’s degree with 6 years of experience, Ph.D. with 4 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree • PCB Producibility, PCB design or fabrication experience in a high volume or high complexity environment (digital, mixed signal, or RF). • Experience with automated DFM review tools (Valor NPI, Genesis, CAM350, and Polar). • Working knowledge of IPC 2221, IPC 6012 & 13, IPC 7351, and GD&T for PCB design. • The ability to obtain/maintain an Active DoD Secret Clearance. • U.S Citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications for Principal/Senior PCB Producibility Engineer • A current/active DoD Secret clearance • Expert working knowledge of PCB design, IPC Standards, PCB fabrication processes and equipment. • Familiarity with blind/buried vias, sequential lamination, and rigid-flex processes. • Expert in PCB fabrication tools such as Valor NPI, Genesis200. CAM350 and Polar. • Experience in developing design tools and scripts (Python, C/C++, Valor NPI) • Expert knowledge of Circuit Card Assembly manufacturing. • Expert working knowledge of the Cadence Allegro and/or Siemens Xpedition software suite. • Experience with complex RF/microwave PCB design or high‑speed digital design (≥5 Gbps). • Experience with advanced PCB Technology such as High-Density Interconnect (HDI) and/or Ultra HDI material and processing. • Experience working directly with advanced high complexity PCB fabricators • Willingness to travel to PCB Fabricators and Material Suppliers for technical collaboration. • Familiarity with 3‑D mechanical integration tools (SolidWorks, NX, Enovia). • Flexibility and willingness to deal with diverse requirements and complex trade-offs, often outside of, or beyond, industry standards. • Familiarity with Root Cause Correction Action (RCCA) methodology. • Demonstrated success working in collaborative, fast paced development teams. • Ability to work in dynamic environment with cross-functional teams and support multiple projects simultaneously. • Expert written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting technical concepts to cross functional teams. Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00 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 northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Requirements

Must-haves

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Principal/Sr. Principal Design Engineer to join its Design Layout Technology team.
What You’ll Get to Do
Provide engineering support for the design of complex RF, Digital, Mixed Signal, and Power PCBs through all design phases.
Advise on material selection, define stack-up, perform impedance calculations, generate and maintain Design-for-Fabrication/Design-for-Manufacturing (DFF/DFM) specific routing rules, including fabrication drawing notes.
Conduct DFF/DFM reviews to ensure PCB designs are producible and meet yield, cost, schedule targets.
Utilizes computer-aided design graphic tools such as Cadence Allegro, Siemens Expedition, Polar SpeedStack and Valor NPI to generate the required electronic data file outputs for fabrication and manufacturing.
Review PCB documentation for fabrication concerns, including PCB drawings, parts lists, and electronic data.
Effectively read and understand all elements of the Northrop Grumman technical data/drawing/specification packages and translate for suppliers and team members.
Support internal design teams and PCB fabricators in addressing technical questions, reviewing revision notices, and investigating any PCB issues.
Collaborate with cross functional team—design teams, Global Supply Chain, PCB Category Management team, and PCB Fabricators to support PCB sourcing strategy and supplier readiness reviews.
Engage with Program, Engineering and Factory Cells to aid in resolving supplier-related manufacturing issues.
Assist with PCB layouts from component placement to routing, create multi-layer board designs that meet signal integrity, power distribution, and EMC requirements.
Build strong working relationships with internal and external PCB fabricators and PCB designers to understand capabilities, industry standards, and technology trends.
This position is full-time and on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location
Basic Qualifications for Principal PCB Producibility Engineer
PCB Producibility, PCB design or fabrication experience in a high volume or high complexity environment (digital, mixed signal, or RF).
Experience with automated DFM review tools (Valor NPI, Genesis, CAM350, and Polar).
Working knowledge of IPC 2221, IPC 6012 & 13, IPC 7351, and GD&T for PCB design.
The ability to obtain/maintain an Active DoD Secret Clearance.

Nice-to-haves

Preferred Qualifications for Principal/Senior PCB Producibility Engineer

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

python

Platform: eightfold
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Health Insurance

Vision

Pto

Paid Time Off