2026 Associate I&T RF Engineer - Dulles VA

Relocation assistance may be available. Travel required: 10% of the time.

About the role

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. 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.

Entry-level opportunities at Northrop Grumman offer unique experiences to boost your knowledge through hands-on exposure while supporting missions that protect our nation and its allies. Our professionals thrive on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing their whole selves to work. We invest in enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Responsibilities

• Assist lead engineers in testing RF for spacecraft satellite systems.
• Use electronics test equipment to evaluate system performance and troubleshoot operational issues.
• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, receivers, software-defined radios, antennas, vector network analyzers, data acquisition systems, and related instrumentation.
• Evaluate RF system performance against defined test requirements.
• Identify test limitations, data gaps, anomalies, instrumentation issues, and equipment problems.
• Work effectively with engineers, test personnel, technicians, program managers, government leads, and cross-functional technical teams.
• Perform hands-on work in a fast-paced environment, occasionally working flexible shifts (2nd and 3rd shifts).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related STEM field.
• Knowledge of RF fundamentals, including frequency, bandwidth, modulation, propagation, antennas, gain/loss, noise, interference, transmitters, receivers, link performance, and signal characterization.
• Experience using RF test and measurement equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, antennas, vector network analyzers, receivers, and software-defined radios.
• Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills across RF hardware and software systems.
• Willing and able to obtain a DOD security clearance, including a polygraph.
• Able to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundamental knowledge of RF, microwave, or electronic systems engineering.
• Experience reading RF test procedures for engineering or production environments.
• Experience with Python, C++, Matlab, or LabVIEW programming.
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience with RF/communications hardware.

Pay

Salary range: $76,200 – $114,400. The above range represents a general guideline; base salary offers consider factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience, education, skills, and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.