Staff Engineer Hardware

Northrop Grumman•San Diego, CA

2d•$161,000 - $241,400•Hybrid

About The Position

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. At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people’s lives today and for generations to come. Our pioneering spirit keeps us at the forefront of major technological advancements — from stealth platforms to deep‑space missions. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Staff Hardware Engineer to join our team supporting F‑35 Sustainment in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will serve as a technical leader and subject‑matter expert for RF/digital hardware, driving sustainment strategy, design improvements, and test/process optimization across a complex hardware portfolio.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and typically 12 or more years of related engineering experience; or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and typically 10 or more years of related engineering experience; or PhD in a STEM discipline and typically 8 or more years of related engineering experience
Experience working with classified and unclassified networks, secure data/storage solutions, and government interfaces
Deep working knowledge of engineering principles, processes, and software/hardware integration
Hands‑on experience performing electrical and RF troubleshooting using equipment such as multimeters, network/spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.
Experience reading and interpreting specifications, schematics, and block diagrams and translate them into test and troubleshooting approaches
Experience assessing test equipment effectiveness (availability, performance, quality) and leading improvement efforts
Proven analytical thinking, problem‑solving, and technical decision‑making skills on complex hardware issues
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams and to work both independently and as part of an integrated product team
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
US Citizenship required

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as a hardware technical lead or subject‑matter expert on a major program or product line
Experience writing, reviewing, and presenting technical information to internal stakeholders and external customers
MS degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, with specialization in RF or high‑speed digital design
Knowledge of C, C++, LabVIEW, Python or other scripting languages used in automated test environments
Familiarity with FPGA/VHDL concepts and programming, and their interaction with hardware test and diagnostics
Experience in high‑reliability, aerospace/defense hardware environments (mil/aero standards, environmental test, etc.)
Active DoD Top Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and direction for RF/digital hardware sustainment across the program
Define and drive hardware test strategies, architectures, and equipment roadmaps
Own high‑impact investigations (RCCAs) and lead cross‑functional teams to resolve complex hardware and test issues
Analyze hardware and test performance data to identify systemic trends and lead corrective/improvement actions
Guide the development, verification, and implementation of new or improved test methods, fixtures, and equipment
Collaborate with systems, software, and manufacturing engineering to ensure robust hardware/software integration
Mentor and coach engineers and technicians, building capability in troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis
Establish and maintain product yield targets; drive yield improvement initiatives and report status in program forums
Support organizational and depot‑level maintenance and technical support at customer and field locations, as needed
Partner with program management and functional leadership to align hardware sustainment priorities with program objectives