ECad Electrical Engineer - Level 5 - Dulles

Overview

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:
Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE:
None

TRAVEL:
Yes, 10% of the Time

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 - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon.

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. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Job Description

Embark on a career supporting cutting-edge space systems as part of Northrop Grumman’s Tactical Space Division. We are seeking a Sr. Principal ECAD Engineer specializing in PCB layout design to join our growing team of qualified, diverse professionals in Dulles, VA.

In this role, you will focus exclusively on board-level layout responsibilities—this is not a schematic design position. You will work closely with design engineers to implement high-reliability, multilayer circuit boards for spaceflight hardware, applying best practices and aerospace standards. If you’re passionate about layout precision, spaceflight reliability, and pushing design boundaries, this is your mission.

• Own the end-to-end PCB layout process using Cadence Allegro PCB Designer.
• Develop multilayer, high-density interconnect (HDI) and controlled impedance layouts optimized for space environments.
• Create and maintain PCB symbols, footprints, and padstacks in accordance with internal library standards.
• Work closely with electrical and mechanical engineer to ensure layout meets electrical, mechanical, and thermal constraints.
• Implement high-speed routing techniques including differential pairs, length tuning, and EMI/EMC compliance practices.
• Support RF and mixed-signal layout requirements, including:
• Controlled impedance and matched-length RF signal traces
• Proper isolation and grounding strategies for RF sections
• Minimization of parasitic effects, signal loss, and coupling across layers
• Placement and routing for connectors, antennas, or filters used in RF paths
• Incorporate blind/buried vias, microvias, and stackup design for rigid/flex and complex assemblies.
• Generate fabrication (Gerber, ODB++) and assembly files, release documentation, and participate in design reviews.
• Apply NASA-STD-8739 and IPC-2221/2222 layout standards for space-rated hardware.
• Participate in DFM/DFX reviews with manufacturing partners to ensure layout readiness for fabrication and assembly.
• Collaborate with engineers to define layout constraints, clearance rules, and placement strategies.
• Drive quality through internal peer reviews, ECAD checklist adherence, and continuous layout optimization.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 12 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 10 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 8 years of professional experience
• Proven experience with Cadence Allegro PCB Designer in an aerospace, medical, or other high-reliability environment.
• Experience with creating and managing ECAD libraries (symbols/footprints).
• Demonstrated expertise in multilayer board layout with signal integrity and power integrity in mind.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Demonstrated leadership in layout design for flight boards or mission-critical systems.
• Experience with IPC CID or CID+ certification or equivalent layout training.

• IPC CID or CID+ Certification.
• Experience with NASA-STD-8739.x, IPC-6012, and ECSS standards.
• Experience with RF layout best practices (e.g., maintaining return path integrity, shielding, and connector placement).
• Familiarity with designing for radiation environments and space qualification processes.
• Proficiency with constraint-driven design, stackup development,…