Discrimination Algorithm Engineer (Level 3 or 4) Secret (Chandler)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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.

If forging a secure future excites you, look no further! Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector provides an arena where your passion for innovation and quest for exploration are welcome. As a Discrimination Algorithm Engineer – Level 3 or Level 4 your role at Chandler, AZ will be pivotal in supporting missions critical to national and global security. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

Ready to join forces with our visionary team?   

The Principal / Sr. Principal Engineer will lead the design, development, verification, and testing of high‑performance software and simulation toolchains for a 6‑DOF missile flight code, focusing on EO/IR sensor‑based remote‑sensing, image processing, and real‑time target discrimination. Leveraging deep expertise in physics‑based modeling, signal‑processing algorithms, and C++/MATLAB/Python tool development, the candidate will enhance algorithms to differentiate hypersonic threats from decoys, thermal reflectors, and noise, enabling accurate trajectory prediction and successful interception.
 

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Your mission, should you choose to accept:

• Design, develop, and implement software tool chains for 6‑DOF missile flight simulation.
• Verify and test simulation code to ensure functional and performance correctness.
• Create and maintain analysis and visualization tools in C++, MATLAB, and Python.
• Develop signal‑processing and discrimination algorithms for guided missiles/interceptors.
• Perform feature extraction and classification on large EO/IR data sets.
• Enhance real‑time algorithms to distinguish hypersonic weapons from decoys, thermal reflectors, and noise.
• Apply physics‑based modeling to analyze sensor data and predict hypersonic target trajectories.
• Conduct algorithm validation using synthetic and field‑collected sensor data.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (GNC, hardware, AI/ML) to integrate software components.
• Document design decisions, test results, and performance metrics for stakeholder review.
• Support limited travel (≈10 %) for customer briefings, site visits, and collaborative workshops.
• Other duties as assigned

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.

This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.  Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Experience with signal processing and discrimination algorithm development for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Experience with classifying large sets of data and performing feature extraction
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python
• Strong foundation in probability theory / statistics
• Experience with Electro-Optical imaging systems

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.  Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Experience with signal processing and discrimination algorithm development for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Experience with classifying large sets of data and performing feature extraction
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python
• Strong foundation in probability theory / statistics
• Experience with Electro-Optical imaging systems

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or applied math
• Experience training AI/ML models
• Experience with IR discrimination and tracking

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards 

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

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.

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.