RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
DescriptionThermal, Optical, and Power Systems (TOPS), an operating unit within the Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) Division, has an exciting opportunity for a Physicist - Level 3 to support research and development activities in East Hartford, CT.
TOPS designs and manufactures mission critical optical, photonic, and RF photonic solutions. We serve markets worldwide including defense (ISR, directed energy, laser communications), industrial (semiconductor) and scientific (astronomy). TOPS has a long heritage of unique hardware solutions, and we are respected as innovators in our customer communities.
Overview
Reporting to the Optical and R&D Group Manager, the Principal Physicist will work with program managers and engineers to develop microwave and photonic solutions that meet specific program requirements and fulfill the key system functions. Systems may include RF, optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components. Co-design of hardware and algorithms to create novel approaches to problems is a group specialty. Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment is essential.
This position provides a broad, exciting opportunity in a high-growth, strategically important business for NGSP. We are seeking a team member with exceptional people skills, one who is valued by employees and customers alike. Our ideal candidate can rapidly come up to speed in new technology areas and effectively communicate their findings to team members and customers. They are comfortable considering many approaches to a problem, can effectively manage trade studies between them, and making decisions amongst the options with the speed required to meet deadlines.
This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) as well as obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding prior to start date.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be an individual contributor as a Physicist on programs that have significant microwave or RF photonic aspects. You will work within interdisciplinary teams to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems, to include:
- Lead studies of RF/Photonics applications and derive candidate architectures for further “deep-dive” analysis into link budgets, environmental effects, and performance expectations
- Proactively research the state-of-art in RF applications, through literature studies, conference attendance, and discussion with other experts. Review and analyze business capture opportunities and participate in or lead proposal capture efforts
- Develop algorithms for the mission that make the best use of the chosen architecture, including model-based and AI/ML approaches
- Conduct trade studies to determine the optimal design and algorithm from the analyzed possibilities
- Oversee the fabrication and packaging of the chosen design by third-party providers
- Engage with customers, and clearly communicate the chosen approach and the reasons for the decision
- Work closely with and collaborate with the Special Programs Director, Program Managers and other technical personnel on proposals and responses to customer technical inquiries
- Travel regularly to customer locations to support design and program reviews
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 5+ years’ experience in microwave circuit or RF photonic circuit design, analysis, and fabrication or 3+ years experience with a Master’s degree.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance is a requirement for employment. Note that a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph will be required.
- Familiarity with the technologies employing microwave circuits, and how component choices drive system performance
- Experience with a general-purpose data processing environment (eg MATLAB or numerical Python)
- Ability to break high-level requirements into constraints on a particular design
- Strong critical thinking and logical reasoning skills and the ability to apply them to solve issues and predict potential technical risks
- Ability to travel 10 – 20% of the time
Preferred Qualifications:
- 8+ years’ experience in microwave circuit or RF photonic circuit design, analysis, and fabrication
- Experience with COMSOL or other multiphysics simulation software
- Proven performance on low-TRL projects
- Familiarity with RF products in the space environment
- Past experience with radar or electronic warfare systems
- Active TS/SCI
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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
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.
