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Posted June 26, 2026
Northrop Grumman

Staff Engineer Systems Signal Processing - R10237729

McClellan Park, CA, US Full Time
$177000 - $265600
Reference: R10237729

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

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 Mission Systems is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer with a Signal Processing background to work in Sacramento, California. Join a team that develops transformative signal processing solutions to solve complex challenges in Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). Your work will contribute to real-world national security initiatives.  We offer a wide variety of professional development opportunities, mentorship by senior engineers, and access to cutting-edge tools and technologies like Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for deployment of advanced signal processing algorithms. 

The engineer will be expected to have a basic understanding of core communications systems engineering concepts from their electrical engineering degree to perform analysis, devise requirements for and implement the signal processing algorithms.  

What You'll Get to Do:

Responsibilities: 

  • Perform architecture trades, design analysis, and performance modeling
  • Provide engineering support for hardware development efforts. 
  • Design detection and characterization algorithms for Radio Frequency communication signals
  • Implement detection and characterization algorithms (detect, demodulate, and classify unknown waveforms without prior knowledge of the protocol)
  • Test signal processing algorithms and receivers in a lab environment. 
  • Design, test, and produce detection, characterization, and geolocation algorithms. 
  • Support the deployment of core products on new platforms (e.g., manned aircraft, drones, ships, etc.). 
  • Develop TDOA/FDOA geolocation algorithms
  • Perform Signal characterization for a SIGINT mission; e.g., modulation recognition, demodulation, and bit stream analysis without knowing in advance what signal you're looking for.

Basic Qualifications for Staff Systems Architect:

  • Bachelor’s Degree and 12 years of experience in relevant engineering or sciences field or MS Degree and 10 years of experience in relevant engineering or sciences field or PhD and 8 years of experience in relevant engineering or sciences field
  • Expertise in digital signal processing algorithms used to build state-of-the-art high sensitivity, wideband, real-time processing digital receivers, OR,
  • Expertise in Signal characterization for a SIGINT mission experience; e.g., modulation recognition, demodulation, bit stream analysis, etc. OR,
  • Proven ability to detect, demodulate, and classify unknown waveforms without prior knowledge of the protocol. Experience with modulation‑recognition pipelines, blind‑parameter estimation, and bit‑stream analysis under noisy, jammed conditions.
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Must have a current active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP.

Preferred Qualifications for Staff Systems Architect:

  • Experience performing optimum system function allocation to hardware and software requirements
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, and a strong ability to work in an integrated product team environment
  • Expertise in C++ or Rust (a highly performant complied langue)
  • Demonstrated success in developing test plans that prove the system satisfies requirements and the ability to quickly capture and process data in tools like MATLAB and Python for debugging and specification verification
  • Prior experience designing hardware, firmware, and software to best allocate functionality to each subsystem
  • Ability to monitor hardware and software design teams with critical insight to help steer the team to a successful solution
  • Experience architecting and developing Electronic Warfare RF systems with real-time digital signal processing
  • Active Top Secret security clearance

What We Can Offer You:


Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the
flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.


Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including: Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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.

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