Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer (SkillBridge)

Job Title

Principal Digital Engineer or Sr. Principal Digital Engineer (SkillBridge)

Role Summary

Join the Software and Digital Technologies (SWDT) organization to support enterprise digital transformation and development of digital/firmware for national defense systems. The role focuses on FPGA design, verification, simulation, testing, and firmware integration in a lab and systems integration environment.

This SkillBridge placement provides hands-on experience for service members in their final months of service and may lead to conversion to a full-time role.

Experience Level

Senior level. Principal: ~5 years related experience; Sr. Principal: ~8 years related experience. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance are required.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include design, verification, testing, and integration of digital systems and firmware:

• Design, verification, simulation and testing of FPGA-based digital designs.
• Develop and execute test plans; perform validation to meet functionality, performance and security requirements.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to accelerate firmware development and testing.
• Perform static timing analysis and manage design constraints (timing, power, I/O) to achieve timing closure.
• Conduct lab testing using oscilloscopes, signal generators/analyzers and FPGA debug tools; analyze test data.
• Create engineering change orders and perform analyses (power utilization, signal integrity, etc.).
• Support systems integration and on-site test activities; lead on-site testing when required.
• Adhere to coding standards, revision control, and peer review; collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Must-have technical and eligibility requirements. Preferred items listed separately.

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Secret clearance required at start; must be able to obtain and maintain Secret clearance.
• Minimum experience with VHDL: 5 years.
• Minimum experience with schematic and programmable-logic tools (e.g., AMD/Xilinx Vivado, Intel/Altera Quartus): 5 years.
• Minimum experience in firmware development (specification, design, implementation, integration, debug, maintenance): 5 years.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively within a team and understand system-level interdependencies affecting circuit requirements.
• Willingness to perform on-site lab and integration testing; travel approximately 10%.

Education Requirements

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering (BSCE), Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or a related STEM degree (listed for both Principal and Sr. Principal roles). Principal: Bachelor’s + ~5 years; Sr. Principal: Bachelor’s + ~8 years. Preferred: Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field (preferred for senior levels).

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.