HIL Hardware Engineer - Level 2/3

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 Space Systems (NGSP) is seeking a HIL Hardware Engineer - Level 2/3 to join our team at our facility in Boulder, Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Support architecture, design, integration, and deployment of SATCOM ground systems supporting ground stations.

• Serve as mission engineer for end‑to‑end data‑flow solutions (RF processing, A/D conversion, demod, de‑crypt, networking configuration, cross‑domain handling) and ensure compliance with down‑link, transmit, spacecraft custody, and data‑processing requirements.

• Support and advise cross‑functional teams of engineers across microwave/RF, HPC, precision timing, IT/networking, and civil‑construction disciplines; coordinate with antenna manufacturers, space‑craft providers, and vendor partners.

• Oversee procurement, integration, and testing of antennas, modulation/demodulation subsystems, server/storage/computing platforms.

• Control budgets and cost accounts for material procurement and program‑wide hardware baselines.

• Develop detailed requirement specifications, source subcontract agreements, and manage subcontractor performance for hardware and civil‑construction deliverables.

• Maintain vendor relationships, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation using MBSE‑SysML, Agile/Jira, and other systems‑engineering methodologies.

This requisition may be filled at a higher job grade based on the qualifications listed below.

This requisition may be filled as either a level 2 or level 3.

Basic Qualifications for a Level 2:

• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 0 years of relevant experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance.

• Knowledge of or familiarity with designing, integrating, and testing real‑time computer‑in‑the‑loop (RTCIL) and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HWIL) laboratories.

• Knowledge of or familiarity with design and integration of SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, and various antenna types.

• Familiarity with PLM tools and the engineering lifecycle

Basic Qualifications for a Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of relevant experience. An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance.

• Knowledge of or familiarity with designing, integrating, and testing real‑time computer‑in‑the‑loop (RTCIL) and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HWIL) laboratories.

• Knowledge of or familiarity with design and integration of SATCOM ground terminals, RF‑over‑Fiber, high‑power transmitters, and various antenna types.

• Familiarity with PLM tools and the engineering lifecycle

Preferred Qualifications:

•  5+ years in satellite ground systems architecture, IT project management, and hardware integration for DoD/IC programs.

• Direct support of multi‑site SATCOM installations and experience delivering to secure USG facilities.

• Demonstrated success managing hardware baselines and procurement for programs

• Knowledge of RF performance metrics (G/T, tracking performance, axial ratio, phase variation) and EMI/RFI shielding requirements.

• Proficiency with MBSE (SysML) and Agile development tools (Jira).

• Strong background in server, storage, and network technologies (NetApp NAS, X86 virtualized servers).

• Certifications: CompTIA Security+

Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

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.