Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Sr. Principal Research Scientist – Level 4 located in Promontory, UT, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one.
The Sr Principal Research Scientist is responsible for executing strong research and problem solving capability in an R&D and production support organization. This individual will provide technical expertise and consultation on a variety of material issues, including material selection, supply chain support, failure investigation, and production/facilities support. This person will lead and develop a technical roadmap including selection and characterization of high temperature TPS materials. This position is focused but not limited to supporting research and development of phenolic ablative materials for nozzle configurations as well as high temperature ablative carbon materials for nozzle and re-entry body applications.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead and develop technical roadmap including selection and characterization of new high temperature materials
- Design and develop subscale components, test specimens, and fixtures
- Develop manufacturing processes with new TPS materials
- Presentation of data and recommendations to internal and external customers
- Leading or supporting failure investigations
- Production support and material testing for a variety of programs and NG locations
- Write instructions/planning for execution of fabrication, assembly, and testing of TPS materials
- Review and author material and production specifications
- Coordinate and schedule work through multiple organizations
- Other duties as assigned
Why you? You’re the candidate we’re searching for if you are ready to achieve the impossible alongside like-minded innovators.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
- Experience with material selection, development, and characterization of high temperature materials
- Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory testing techniques and experience conducting experiments
- Previous lab experience and experience with completing experiments
- Candidate must be able to obtain a clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of nozzle designs and fabrication methods
- Knowledge of hypersonics TPS design and fabrication methods
- Experience with phenolic and carbon based product manufacturing
- Experience with aerospace materials and processing specifications
- Demonstrated modeling and drawing experience
- General understanding of classical lamination theory and anisotropic materials
- Knowledge of GD&T
- Advanced degree preferred
- Knowledge of 2D and 3D carbon-carbon preferred
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: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Material Science, Chemical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 8 years experience OR Master's with 6 years OR PhD with 4 years
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required)
- Experience with material selection, development, and characterization of high temperature materials
- Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory testing techniques and experience conducting experiments
- Previous laboratory experience completing experiments
- Knowledge of nozzle designs and fabrication methods
- Knowledge of hypersonics TPS design and fabrication methods
- Experience with phenolic and carbon-based product manufacturing
- Experience with aerospace materials and processing specifications
- Modeling and drawing experience (CAD/technical drawings)
- Understanding of classical lamination theory and anisotropic materials
- Knowledge of GD&T
- Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred
- Knowledge of 2D and 3D carbon-carbon
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
