Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer

Job Title

Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer

Role Summary

Join the Software and Digital Technologies (SWDT) organization to design, verify, simulate, test, and validate FPGA-based digital systems for defense products. The role supports enterprise digital transformation using modern development tools and Agile practices.

Position is based in Linthicum, MD and contributes to system-level integration, lab testing, and on-site field activities supporting secure defense programs.

Experience Level

Senior level. Typical experience: Principal role ~5 years relevant experience; Sr. Principal role ~8 years relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include design, verification, lab testing, and integration of digital/Firmware/FPGA systems.

• Design, verify, simulate, and test FPGA and digital logic designs.
• Develop and execute test plans; validate functionality, performance, and security requirements.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to accelerate firmware development and testing.
• Perform lab tests using oscilloscopes, signal generators/analyzers, and FPGA debugging tools; analyze results.
• Manage design constraints (timing, power, I/O) and perform static timing analysis to meet targets.
• Create engineering change orders and perform analyses such as power utilization and signal integrity.
• Support systems integration and on-site testing activities; lead on-site digital test events.
• Follow coding standards, version control, and peer review practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand system-level dependencies affecting digital designs.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security and eligibility requirements, and experience levels for the Principal and Sr. Principal roles.

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance (Secret required to start).
• Principal: ~5 years of related experience; Sr. Principal: ~8 years of related experience.
• At least 5 years experience with VHDL.
• At least 5 years experience with schematic and programmable logic toolflows (AMD/Xilinx Vivado, Intel/Altera Quartus, etc.).
• At least 5 years experience in firmware development including specification, design, implementation, integration, debugging, and maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative while contributing to team objectives.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with timing closure and managing timing constraints.
• Real-time embedded firmware experience, especially in Radar, Electronic Warfare, or Space domains.
• Experience working in DoD environments and in lab/testing settings.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline is required. A Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field is preferred. The posting ties degree expectations to experience levels (Principal: bachelor's + ~5 years; Sr. Principal: bachelor's + ~8 years).

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.