Sr Principal/Staff Hardware Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Aurora
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Interim Top 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 Space Systems is seeking a Sr Principal Hardware Integration and Test Engineer (Level 4) OR Staff Hardware System Test and Integration Engineer (Level 5) to join our team. This position is based in Aurora, Colorado. The selected candidate for this role will bring a background in ground systems software and hardware integration and test, with a focus on understanding how changes in requirements impact software and hardware designs. This role will involve working on systems that utilize diverse electrical signals including power, RF, and fiber optics. What You’ll Get To Do: Provide engineering expertise for test planning, test environment development, unit testing, part and assembly characterization, testing, and verification processes, ensuring software and hardware at each architectural level meets all specified requirements and standards. Design Test software and hardware to provide input stimulus and verify output formatting and error free content Conduct troubleshooting and modifications on existing hardware designs to enhance performance and reliability. Utilize clear technical writing to document plans, design, design alterations, prepare reports, and develop design specifications and validation plans. Generate/Update/Finalize drawings, support equipment moves, rack and stack of equipment (both test and product) and integration of RF front end and compute equipment into a shelter for deployment. Collaborate on the design and integration of hardware and software systems ensuring adherence to changing requirements and specifications. Position may require occasional travel CONUS and OCONUS to support field activities and hardware deployment. This requisition may be filled at a Sr. Principal Hardware System Test and Integration Engineer (Level 4) OR Staff Hardware System Test and Integration Engineer (Level 5) level based on the qualifications below. Basic Qualifications Sr. Principal Hardware System Test and Integration Engineer (Level 4) Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 9 years of relevant experience, OR Master's degree in a STEM field with 7 years of relevant experience is required. Must have an active DoD Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility Experience with hardware design, performing integration and developing and executing test processes. Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of requirement changes on hardware design. Experience with power, RF, and fiber electrical signal principles and applications. Can lift 50 lbs. Can work from elevated positions at heights above 8 feet. Ability to work in the field under austere weather conditions Staff Hardware System Test and Integration Engineer (Level 5) Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 12 years of relevant experience, OR Master's degree in a STEM field with 10 years of relevant experience is required. Must have an active DoD Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility Experience with hardware design, performing integration and developing and executing test processes. Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of requirement changes on hardware design. Experience with power, RF, and fiber electrical signal principles and applications. Can lift 50 lbs. Can work from elevated positions at heights above 8 feet. Ability to work in the field under austere weather conditions Preferred Qualifications Experience with SW testing tools such as Python, Python’s unittest and pytest libraries, Jenkins, Matlab, Gitlab, Github Experience with RF and Electrical testing tools, such as Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, RF Power meters, multimeters Experience in Linux/RHEL bash scripting and CICD pipeline establishment and testing Experience with complex system architectures and hardware validation procedures. Knowledge of electronic components and their applications in communication systems. Previous experience in a fast-paced engineering environment with a focus on field support operations is desirable. Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $241,400.00 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Parker , Sr Principal/Staff Hardware Engineer, Engineering , Aurora, Colorado