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Contract Rfic Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Review engineering drawings, contract documents, RFIs, and project submissions for quality, accuracy, and completeness. * Provide technical guidance on roadway design, highway geometrics, drainage ...

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Contract Rfic Design Engineer information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract RFIC Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract RFIC Design Engineer, you need expertise in RF/microwave circuit design, semiconductor physics, and familiarity with industry standards, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Mastery of EDA tools like Cadence, ADS, and experience with simulation and layout software are critical, along with knowledge of relevant test equipment. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication set top engineers apart in collaborative and deadline-driven environments. These skills ensure the delivery of high-performance, reliable RFIC solutions that meet project specifications and industry demands.

What are Contract RFIC Design Engineers?

Contract RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) Design Engineers are specialists who design and develop integrated circuits that operate at radio frequencies, typically for wireless communication devices. Working on a contract basis, they may be hired by companies to complete specific projects or to provide expertise on a temporary basis. Their responsibilities include circuit design, simulation, layout, testing, and optimization of RFICs to meet performance, cost, and timeline requirements. Contract RFIC Design Engineers often collaborate with teams of hardware and software engineers to ensure seamless integration of RFICs within larger systems. They are also expected to stay updated on the latest technologies and design tools in the RF and semiconductor industries.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract RFIC Design Engineers when working with multiple clients or projects simultaneously?

Contract RFIC Design Engineers often juggle multiple projects and clients, which can lead to challenges in balancing differing technical requirements, project timelines, and communication styles. Coordinating with various teams, adapting to distinct design flows, and managing version control across projects demand strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Successfully navigating these challenges helps ensure timely delivery of high-quality RFIC designs, while also building a reputation for reliability and adaptability in the industry.

What is the difference between Contract Rfic Design Engineer vs RFIC Design Engineer?

AspectContract RFIC Design EngineerRFIC Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, specialized in RFIC designSame as Contract RFIC Design Engineer
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often freelance or temporary roles in various companiesFull-time employment within a company or research lab
Industry UsageCommon in consulting, contract work, or short-term projectsStandard role in semiconductor and telecommunications industries

Both roles require similar technical skills and educational background, but Contract RFIC Design Engineers typically work on short-term projects and are hired on a contractual basis, whereas RFIC Design Engineers are usually full-time employees with ongoing responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Contract Rfic Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Rfic Design Engineer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution.
Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer

Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 349 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 527 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SAPTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

The Multidomain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division (MSTS), located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, develops operational Electronic Warfare (EW) and targeting systems that provide situational awareness, self-protection, and offensive electronic attack capability to platforms across the spectrum from visible light IR to millimeter wave RF. By joining us, you'll work on projects that help safeguard our nation related to land forces, rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military electronic warfare systems, communications systems, missile warning systems and sensors, infrared counter-measure systems (IRCM), automatic test equipment, modeling and simulation, and situational awareness programs. The Hardware Engineering organization plays a key role in developing these solutions.

The Principal/Sr. PrincipalDigital Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and requirements through design, implementation, test verification, production, and field support while working in integrated product teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management. Digital subsystem and circuit card designs utilize the latest FPGA technologies from all major vendors and device families including Xilinx, Altera, and Actel, and support high speed interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and processor interfaces.

Job Description:

As a Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer, you will join our diverse team and be responsible for research, design, and development of digital hardware products. Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level design and test, and project leadership are desired for this position. Researches, designs, develops, and tests a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including radar and radiation detection equipment; radio, television and other communications equipment and systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers; and control and test equipment.

#MSRMTA

This position may be filled at either a Principal or Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below.

This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.

This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Digital DesignEngineer:

- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 5 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline and 3 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration

- Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces.

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or less team members.

- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen

- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer:

- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 8 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline and 6 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Extensive digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration.

- Extensive hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or more team members.

- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation, revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen

- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Advanced degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum 10 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Working knowledge of Electronic Warfare systems.

- Experience in Aerospace and/or Defense industries.

- Recent circuit card design experience utilizing circuit-related tools including Cadence Concept, Allegro, and/or Mentor DxDesigner, Expedition.

- Working experience with ClearCase/ClearQuest and DOORS Current Secret or Top-Secret Security Clearance.

- Proven skills to include: team leadership, mentoring others, communicating with all levels of an organization internally and externally, being adaptable, creative, collaborative and also comfortable working independently and enjoying solving difficult problems.

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939