2025) Northrop Grumman

Job Description Link to heading

For 10 weeks in the summer of 2025, I interned at Northrop Grumman as a System Engineer.

Responsibilities Link to heading

In this internship, my main responsibilities included:

Create a simulation as part of a link budget for a laser-comm project
Assist other system engineers
Participate in any and all required project closure operations

Projects Link to heading

False Alarm Rate and Path Analysis

For the laser-comm projec I was assignedt to, my original task was to analyse the false alarm rate during pointing and acquisition of the initial scan. After creating a graphical tool that streamlined the evaluation and visualization of confidence intervals for data analysis with desmos and localizing it. I determined that the analysis was computationally infeasible, but was able to use this experience to pivot into a comprehensive path analysis with this experience.

I first combined several hardware simulation models for a comprehensive path analysis model. Then I developed automated testing workflows for MATLAB Simulink models on an LSF-based computer cluster, enabling transmitter side communication scan path analysis and large scale passive data acquisition. I acquired and treated data on acquisition time and probability for the working scan path and generalized the model for any arbitrary path. I presented the findings and documented all relavant details to the project.

FPA testing

For the laser-comm projec I was assigned to, I participated in Focal Plane Array and gained experience in test rack automation for optical and electrical system validation. With my assisstance; our team completed testing and obtained significant data before project closure.

Cameo Reorganization

I reorganized and created detailed Block Definition Diagrams (BDDs) and Internal Block Diagrams (IBDs) in Cameo to improve system architecture clarity and scalability. Due to a project closure, the focus of this project was to clarify the structure and procedure for transforming scattered diagrams into a cohesive single source of truth. We focused on defining how different types of diagram can be related and organized. We were able to refactor a few diagrams as susbstantial examples for guding future legacy projects.

Communication Studies

I briefly studied an familiarized myself with an object oriented MATLAB simulation tool for satellite communication. It introduced me to the concepts of Bit Error Rates (BER), Packet Error Rates (PER), phase correction, bit and packet error recovery algorithms, Eb/N0 and other basic communication concepts. I used the DVB-S2/S2X protocol as a basic case study and was able to use existing code to generate some BER vs. Eb/N0 data with the protocol.

Take away Link to heading

Overall this internship taught me a great deal. From broadly introducing me to the work system engineers did, to giving me an opportunit to study communication protocols and simulations. I was able to become much more profficient in MATLAB and deepen my understanding of Model Based System Engineering. (MBSE) I also developed my skills in industry standard tools such as DOORS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Exceed TurboX and more. As well as sharpened my interpersonal and persentational skills.