Principal Digital Engineer

Job Title

Principal Digital Engineer

Role Summary

Lead design and verification of high-speed digital subsystems for a safety-critical navigation, video and cockpit development program within Mission Systems Engineering and Sciences. Support enterprise digital transformation using model-based engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices.

Collaborate with program leads, senior scientists, engineering and manufacturing teams to integrate requirements, processes and tools across the product lifecycle.

Experience Level

Senior / Principal level. Typical experience guidance per degree: Bachelor's +5 years, Master's +3 years, PhD +1 year.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include technical design, verification, integration and production transition of digital hardware and related processes.

• Design and verify high-speed digital systems for safety-critical programs.
• Implement and optimize FPGA/SoC/ASIC solutions (VHDL/Verilog, synthesis, timing closure).
• Define hardware requirements and produce conceptual and detailed hardware designs.
• Create and execute verification plans and support system-level validation (V&V, HIL).
• Integrate model-based engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices into development workflows.
• Coordinate cross-discipline activities with program leads, engineering and manufacturing groups.
• Support transition of designs to production and manufacturing readiness.
• Travel as required (~10%).

Requirements

Must-have skills, authorizations and conditions for the role; preferred items listed separately.

• Proven experience in high-speed digital design and verification.
• Hands-on FPGA/SoC/ASIC implementation experience (VHDL/Verilog, synthesis, timing closure).
• Experience with hardware requirements definition, verification activities and production transition.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance required.
• U.S. Citizenship required and ability to work onsite full-time in Woodland Hills, CA.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10% of the time.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with SystemVerilog, UVM and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Knowledge of computer architecture (bus standards, interrupts, memory).
• Model-based engineering experience (MATLAB/Simulink, fixed vs. floating point).
• Experience with sensors, digital signal processing and safety-critical design (DO-254).
• Cost Account Management (CAM) certification or experience.
• Demonstrated communication, team-building and facilitation skills.

Education Requirements

Degree in a STEM field required: Bachelor's, Master's or PhD. Posting specifies degree-to-experience mapping: Bachelor's +5 years relevant experience; Master's +3 years; PhD +1 year. Cost Account Management (CAM) certification is listed as a preferred credential.

About the Company

Company: Northrop Grumman

Headquarters: Falls Church, Virginia, United States

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company that provides innovative solutions in mission systems, electronics, and software. With a legacy of significant advancements in technology, we empower employees to tackle complex challenges and create revolutionary systems that enhance global security. Our diverse teams focus on engineering innovation and product development, delivering solutions that support military and civilian customers worldwide.