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Posted July 01, 2026
Northrop Grumman

RF Payload Mechanical Engineer - Level 1/2 - Dulles - R10238228

Dulles, VA, US Full Time
$69400 - $104000
Reference: R10238228

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: 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.

Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a RF Payload Mechanical Engineer – Level 1 or Level 2 located in Dulles, VA, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

   

Northrop Grumman Space Systems Division designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. Our main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems Division is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to assist a team of mechanical engineers to perform mechanical, systems, mechanisms, and design engineering tasks on one or more spacecraft systems or subsystems.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Reading and interpreting RF system block diagrams.
  • Layout of RF equipment on spacecraft payload panels.
  • Working with RF equipment such as test couplers, filters, muliplexers, high power amplifiers (ex. TWTA, SSPAs), etc.
  • Design of waveguide and coaxial cable networks that connect RF equipment. 
  • Ensure RF equipment meets mechanical environments for which they will reside.  Work with Mechanical Analysis team to meet compliance.
  • Work with RF engineering on overall design and layout of RF equipment on spacecraft to ensure compliance at system level.
  • Write or contribute to performance specifications w.r.t mechanical requirements.
  • Reviewing component supplier drawings and models.
  • Perform detailed design tasks using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other software tools to develop and document designs. 
  • Interfacing and communicating with customers, program and functional management, RF engineers and other spacecraft engineering disciplines, and component suppliers. 
  • Be self-motivated and provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems under limited supervision.
  • Skills include, but not limited to, Computer Aided Design (CAD), knowledge of Geometric Dimension and Tolerancing (GD&T), 3D Printing, Design for Manufacturing, and Mechanics of Metallic and Composite Materials, Antenna and Reflector Design.
  • Other duties as assigned

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!

This position can be filled at either a Level 1 or Level 2.

Basic Qualifications for Level 1:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 0 years of professional experience.   
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance
  • Ability to performing engineering tasks associated with design, manufacturing and integration of RF payloads and equipment layouts.
  • Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, preferably Creo Parametric.

Basic Qualifications for Level 2:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 0 years of professional experience.   
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance
  • Experience in performing engineering tasks associated with design, manufacturing and integration of RF payloads and equipment layouts.
  • Experience with waveguide and coaxial cable layout design.
  • Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
  • Experience with interpreting and reviewing vendor provided Interface Control Drawings (ICDs) and associated 3D CAD models to provide feedback against requirements.
  • Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards and preparation of manufacturing documentation.

 Preferred Qualifications:  

  • Experience with layout of RF components on spacecraft panels.
  • Experience with coaxial cable design.
  • Experience with waveguide design.
  • Experience with creating, reviewing, and releasing drawings.
  • Basic understanding and interpretation of RF system block diagrams.
  • Experience with CREO Parametric software.
  • Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards and preparation of manufacturing documentation.
  • Basic understanding of mechanical analysis and simulation methods and results.
  • Active Top Secret Clearance.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards 

Primary Level Salary Range: $69,400.00 - $104,000.00

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

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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