Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Verification Engineer

Job Title

Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Verification Engineer

Role Summary

Work on digital verification for multi-function software-defined radio (SDR) systems at the San Diego campus, focused on FPGA logic verification, simulation, and system validation for DoD communications platforms.

Join a small engineering team to define verification frameworks, execute verification plans, and drive FPGA designs from verification to production release.

Experience Level

Senior-level. Principal: typically 5+ years of digital verification experience; Sr. Principal: typically 8+ years. Advanced degrees (MS/PhD) reduce the required years per posting guidance.

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities include developing and executing verification activities for FPGA-based radio systems.

• Define and maintain digital verification frameworks and architectures for SDR systems.
• Develop verification plans from design requirements and specifications.
• Simulate and verify FPGA logic designs and perform system-level validation.
• Analyze and debug simulation failures, determine root causes, and coordinate fixes with designers.
• Perform regression testing and produce verification metrics and reports.
• Develop functional tests, test benches, and bus functional models.
• Estimate and forecast schedules for assigned verification tasks.
• Collaborate within a team environment (typical team size 5–7 engineers).

Requirements

Key technical and security requirements. Education requirements are summarized separately below.

• Experienced in VHDL design and verification methodologies for DoD communications systems.
• Practical experience with FPGA deployable product processes: requirements definition, design, verification, and production release.
• Proven experience developing verification plans, test benches, and bus functional models.
• Hands-on use of industry-standard simulation tools; experience with Siemens Questa Simulator required.
• Experience with verification automation scripting in a Linux environment (Perl, TCL, Bash, Makefile) is preferred.
• Familiarity with Siemens formal tools (Lint, Inspect, CDC) and OSVVM-based functional verification preferred.
• Ability to analyze, prioritize, and report verification progress and metrics.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or other STEM discipline is requested. The posting also indicates reduced experience requirements for advanced degrees (MS or PhD) and allows equivalent practical experience in lieu of a degree.

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.