Principal Engineer Embedded Software

Northrop Grumman•Rolling Meadows, IL

49d•$108,800 - $163,200•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer - Manufacturing Test Engineering (RF Systems) to join their team in Rolling Meadows, IL. This role supports software development for testing Radio Frequency (RF) production hardware in a dynamic and challenging production environment. The ideal candidate will be a problem solver with a collaborative and innovative approach, possessing strong self-accountability, speed, resilience, courage, vision-setting, and team-building abilities. This position involves all aspects of test software development, from requirements to validation, and requires close collaboration with Design Engineers, Test Hardware Engineers, Quality Assurance Engineers, and Manufacturing Technicians. Responsibilities include supporting production by reviewing and updating test equipment software, troubleshooting discrepancies, and coordinating with various engineering and production teams. The role also involves investigating and designing solutions for testing requirements, developing and maintaining manufacturing acceptance and environmental screening procedures, and collaborating with design engineering for testability. Additionally, the engineer will design and maintain test station/fixture concepts and schematics, and interface with leadership, clients, and vendors. Building strong professional relationships with other manufacturing disciplines and demonstrating strong decision-making skills are essential. This position is contingent on contract award.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering or a related STEM field with a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience; OR a Master of Science (MS) degree in equivalent fields with 3 or more years of relevant work 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 software projects involving 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.

Nice To Haves

Python and MATLAB experience.
Experience with schematic generation such as Cadence.
Prior software 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.
Familiarity with reading schematics and interpreting electrical one-lines.
Experience using GitHub.
Active DoD Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

Support to Production: Review and make needed updates to software governing how test equipment operates.
Troubleshoot discrepancies in software packages.
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.
Software design – 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 ethical standard is essential.