Hardware Engineer - Principal Manufacturing Test Engineering (RF Systems)
Northrop Grumman· Defense· Sep 15, 2026 · 1mo ago
United States-Illinois-Rolling Meadows
In office
Full-time
Principal
$133K–$210K est.
5+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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. 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 (NGMS) is looking for you to join our team as a Hardware Engineer - Principal Manufacturing Test Engineering (RF Systems) based out of Rolling Meadows, IL.
Manufacturing Engineers thrive in an environment of daily unique challenges and close proximity to products. Partnering with production, successful test engineers lead troubleshooting and ensure excellence in hardware and software. Engineers who do well in this setting enjoy seeing their work perform in a test or a product, collaborate and communicate well across functions, and are innovative problem solvers. Best suited to this role are those who enjoy learning and bring a sense of urgency and energy to their tasks.
This position will support hardware efforts associated with testing Radio Frequency (RF) production hardware in a dynamic, fast-paced and technically challenging production environment.
This individual will be responsible for all aspects of test software development from requirements capture through final validation and release. A successful person in this role will be very effective at leading collaboration with the product Design Engineer, the Test Hardware Engineer, the Quality Assurance Engineer and the Manufacturing Technician. This position would include providing needed efforts to set up and support the acceptance testing of the Shop Replaceable Units, as well as acceptance testing and environmental screening at the payload (Line Replaceable Unit) level. This position will support aerial, military-grade, or space-grade Electronic Warfare Systems and Subsystems.
What you will get to do :
• Support to Production : Review and make needed updates to hardware governing how test equipment operates. Troubleshoot discrepancies in hardware designs . Coordinate with Electrical Design Engineering, Software & Firmware Engineering, Production technician, Project Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Quality organizations to meet contractual acceptance testing and environmental screening commitments.
• Hardware design – schematics, coding & integration/validation : Investigate, design, and provide solutions to meet new or modified testing requirements.
• Test procedure development/Maintenance : Generate and maintain/revise Manufacturing Acceptance testing procedures, Environmental Screening procedures, hardware drawings of test equipment and fixtures.
• Continuous improvement : Review of quality metrics to identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost, cycle time, defects.
• Testability reviews : Collaborate with design engineering to achieve testability in new and updated product design.
• Test station/fixture development : Design and maintain/revise Manufacturing Acceptance testing fixture and stations for functional and environmental testing. This includes test station concepts ( Schematics, block diagram, simulations, test requirement creation )
• Ability to interface/communicate with multiple levels of leadership, clients, and vendors.
Building a strong professional relationship with other Manufacturing disciplines (Process Engineering, Project Management, Shop Operations, Mission Assurance), strong decision-making skills and a high-level ethical standard is essential.
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Test Engineer (RF Systems):
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or a related STEM field with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience; OR a Master of Science (MS) degree in equivalent fields with 3 or more years of experience.
• Experience with programming languages such as C#, C, Java or Lab Windows CVI
• Experience with troubleshooting of hardware, software, or firmware issues
• Experience completing Hardware projects involving hardware & software design / development activities and/or integration and validation activities on schedule and on budget.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• US Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications for the Manufacturing Test hardware Engineer (RF Systems):
• Python and MATLAB experience.
• Experience with schematic generation such as Cadence.
• P rior hardware troubleshooting experience of test equipment or prime hardware.
• Experience in troubleshooting unit under test.
• Experience with RF Electronic systems in manufacturing or design (software, firmware, etc.) environment.
• Experience working with use of any test instruments such as (but not limited to) Oscilloscope, Signal Generator, Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, etc.
• Experience reading schematics and interpreting electrical one-lines.
• Experience using GitHub.
• Active Secret Security Clearance.
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!
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
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