Principal/Sr. Principal PWB Design Engineer
Northrop Grumman
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Remote · Rolling Meadows, IL · Posted November 12, 2026
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Where Rolling Meadows, IL ranks
Where Rolling Meadows, IL placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest26% · of 54
- #1Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes26% · of 39
- #2Best cities for remote-friendly jobs22% · of 100
- #6Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Midwest6% · of 52
- #6Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Great Lakes6% · of 38
- #6Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Midwest13% · of 69
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among mechanical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for mechanical engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
About the job
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description
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.
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 by 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!
Northrop Grumman offers challenging career opportunities in Hardware Engineering within the Mission Systems Sector that plays a key role in the mission to protect our military personnel. The Hardware Engineering organization is dedicated to consistently providing high quality product designs in support of multiple product areas. The Design Data and Product Integrity Engineering (DDPIE) organization provides engineering support services for all programs at the Rolling Meadows campus including CCA Design Layout Technology, Configuration Management, Data Management, Drafting, Standards and Components, Product Follow, and Product Integrity Engineering. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an experienced Principal Design Engineer to join its Design Layout Technology team.
The Principal/Sr. Principal PWB Design Engineer plans, lays out, draws and revises parts, assemblies and fabrication engineering drawings from basic layouts, establishing references and standard data for PWB design artifacts. Utilizes computer-aided design graphic tools such as Cadence Allegro. Completes details of major layout drawings in accordance with standard engineering drafting practices, military specifications, as well as industry standards.
Primary Functions:
- Layout of PWBs/PCBs, flex circuits, interconnect routing, and drawing generation -Calculates layer stack-up based on industry standards, supplier capabilities, and engineering requirements -Creates and documents the required electronic data file outputs for fabrication and manufacturing -Responsible to interface with electrical and mechanical engineers to work through component placement, routing, mechanical fitment for rigid, flex, and rigid-flex assemblies -Understands technical theories of electrical and mechanical behavior of PWBs/PCBs to influence layout decisions (i.e. impedance matching, differential pairs, strains and stresses, orientation of components, etc.) -Incorporates PWB/PCB change notices. -Checks designs and drawings for manufacturability. -Excellent interpersonal skills. Be able to coordinate and lead design reviews with engineering, quality and manufacturing personnel.
We will consider hybrid or remote work arrangements for exceptional candidates. Candidates seeking a hybrid arrangement must be willing to work at a site where MSTS has a presence.
This position can be filled at the Principal or Sr. Principal level based on requirements below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal PWB Design Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM field with 5 years of directly related professional working experience or Master's degree in STEM field with 3 years of directly related professional working experience or 9 years of directly related professional working experience in lieu of degree. - Drafting and design experience in PCB design for fabrication and PWB layer stack up for digital, RF, mixed signal, and power supply CCAs - Experience with Cadence Allegro or similar CAD tool - Knowledge of industry specifications and design for manufacturing (DFM) rules for CCA and PWB design, fabrication and manufacturing - Must be able to read drawings and schematic diagrams - US Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret security clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal PWB Design Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM field with 8 years of directly related professional working experience or Master's degree in STEM field with 6 years of directly related professional working experience or 12 years of directly related professional working experience in lieu of degree. - Drafting and design experience in PCB design for fabrication and PWB layer stack up for digital, RF, mixed signal, and power supply CCAs - Experience with Cadence Allegro or similar CAD tool - Knowledge of industry specifications and design for manufacturing (DFM) rules for CCA and PWB design, fabrication and manufacturing - Must be able to read drawings and schematic diagrams - US Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret security clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.
Preferred Qualifications for Principal/Sr. Principal PWB Design Engineer:
- Advanced degree in STEM field - Experience in PCB fabrication, testing, and quality
- Good self-organization, and communication skills
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $111,700.00 - $185,000.00
The 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.