RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal Test Engineer based in Apopka, Florida.  We offer great learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do. What you will get to do: - Design, develop and implement testing methods and optical / mechanical equipment. - Plan and arrange the labor, schedules, and equipment required for testing and evaluating standard and special devices. - Provide test area with parameters for sample testing and specifies tests to be performed. - Compile data and define changes required in testing equipment, testing procedures, manufacturing processes, or new testing requirements. - Responsible for testing all customer samples and for special tests that cannot be performed in the test area. - Review, interpret, and analyze formal and informal requirements. The ideal candidate will: - Possess a complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories, and concepts in Optics/Photonics. General knowledge of other related disciplines. - Provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with organization objectives. - Work under only general direction. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. Basic Qualifications for Test Engineer: - A bachelor’s degree in Optics/Photonics or a related STEM field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience; OR a master’s degree in Optics/Photonics or a related STEM field with 3 or more years of relevant work experience; OR a PhD in Optics/Photonics or a related STEM field with at least 1 year of relevant work experience. - Experience with COTS (common off the shelf) equipment used in laser manufacturing laboratories e.g., laser diodes, energy/pulse width detection, optical devices, and mounts, etc. - Experience with optical design software such as Zemax, CodeV, etc. - Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. - U.S. Citizenship required. Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with engineering development tools such as CAD, Optical Design, with exposure to laser measurement/analysis techniques. - Lab experience with VIS, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR camera imaging parameters such as MRC and MRTD. - A current DoD Secret Clearance What We Can Offer You: Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off, and Additional Benefits, including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more! #MPR Primary Level Salary Range: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00 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.