Principal/senior Principal Systems Engineer Signals Processing

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · McClellan Park, CA +1 · Systems/Architecture/Test

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Systems Engineer with a Signal Processing background to develop signal processing solutions for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Responsibilities include designing, implementing, and testing algorithms for detection, characterization, and geolocation of RF signals, and supporting deployment on various platforms. The role requires expertise in DSP fundamentals, SIGINT/RF, and the ability to translate operational needs into technical requirements.

What you'd actually do

  1. Design detection and characterization algorithms for Radio Frequency communication signals
  2. Implement detection and characterization algorithms
  3. Test signal processing algorithms and receivers in a lab environment.
  4. Design, test, and produce detection, characterization, and geolocation algorithms.
  5. Support the deployment of core products on new platforms (e.g., manned aircraft, drones, ships, etc.).

Skills

Required

  • BS degree in STEM
  • 5 years relevant experience (Principal) or 8 years (Sr Principal)
  • 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

Nice to have

  • 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

What the JD emphasized

  • SCI clearance
  • Top Secret/SCI security clearance