Senior Principal Research Scientist

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

Adaptive Optics Associates – Xinetics (AOA Xinetics), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP), is currently seeking a Senior Principal Ceramic Materials Scientist to support our Xinetics program activities in Devens, MA.

AOA Xinetics (AOX) designs, develops, and manufactures advanced optical products and systems such as deformable mirrors, optical systems, adaptive optics control systems and silicon carbide optical structures for the U.S. Government, commercial customers, and U.S. defense prime and second-tier contractors. Markets for these technologies include terrestrial and space-based astronomy, semiconductor manufacturing, energy generation, Defense ISR, and Directed Energy. Xinetics program core technologies include Lead Magnesium Niobate (PMN) electrostrictive actuators and lightweight CeraprintTM silicon carbide optics and precision structures

Learn more about AOX at https://www.northropgrumman.com/who-we-are/aoa-xinetics       

 

Overview

The Ceramic Materials Scientist will apply knowledge and hands-on experience with synthesis, processing, and characterization of ceramic materials and devices used in various environments. You will lead or support ceramics research efforts through formulation development and materials fabrication, and execution of test procedures and data analysis for the advancement of functional and structural ceramics used in AOX’s products. You will also support the strategy for our team, whose efforts are applied to solving our customer’s critical materials challenges.  Our ideal candidate will foster a collaborative environment with world-class expertise.

 

Role and Responsibilities:

• Carry out materials research and development in support of evolving requirements including formulating and synthesizing ceramic materials, designing experiments, and characterizing properties of materials and systems
• Analyze data and interpret results, including automating routine data analysis calculations
• Document technical work in detail and present to internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to white papers, proposals, and sponsor briefings
• Support for root cause analysis and quick resolution of manufacturing line stops and other critical production activities
• Collaborative work with other engineering organizations, program management, factory operations, global supply chain, and quality

 

Basic Qualifications:

• BS in Materials Science, Ceramic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or other related field
• Nine years experience with synthesis, processing, and/or characterization of ferroelectric materials, OR 7 years experience with a master’s degree, OR 4 years experience with a PhD
• Understanding of various characterization and analytical methods such as: XRD, EDS, SEM, PSD, TGA, FTIR, GC/MS, etc.
• Basic understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines in addition to materials science
• Proficient in MS Office and MS Project
• Ability to work independently, exercising good technical judgment to solve problems
• Strong record of successful teamwork
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Willing and able to perform work in a laboratory setting, and travel for testing, sponsor visits, conference attendance, and presentations
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance
• US Citizenship is a requirement for employment

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Materials Science, Ceramics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field
• Experience with Lead Magnesium Niobate (PMN) material and electrostrictive actuators 
• Over 10 years of direct electro-ceramic research and process development
• Experience in ceramic manufacturing
• Experience in transitioning successful research projects to production
• Understanding of and/or ability to conduct, recommend and review multi-discipline analyses (e.g. ANSYS FEM, PSpice circuit analysis, COMSOL Multi Physics, etc.)
• Expert in the use of scientific numerical / analysis packages (e.g. MATLAB, Mathematica, etc.)
• Active Secret or Top-Secret Clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.