Sr Staff Engineer Electronics

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr. Staff EO/IR Engineer to join the team of qualified individuals on our Avionics Organization. This role is located onsite in Melbourne, Florida.

The successful lead engineer will be responsible for and contribute to the overall development of EO/IR sensor subsystems, including Concept Development, Technology Trade Studies, Requirements Development and Derivation, Algorithm Development, Performance Analysis, Data Analysis, build and test of hardware prototypes.
The Sr. Staff EO/IR Engineer in this role will be responsible for the following:

• Lead the design, development, and integration of EO/IR sensor subsystems and components to meet platform mission objectives and guides development into a final product that has a direct impact on the sector

• Develop, analyze, mature, implement, and translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications

• Lead and leverage industry experience to implement new and existing high fidelity, physics-based EOIR system performance models and optical modeling

• Modeling/Developing / analyzing sensor performance, predicting performance as installed on an airborne platform

• Solicit input from various stakeholders, synthesize data, and communicate results with demonstrated ability to formally present technical solutions to senior leadership.

• Collaborates with and contributes to CoTE EO/IR discipline and other programs on best practices, problem solving, knowledge sharing.  

• Ensure performance capabilities of new systems traded against cost and mission requirements and assess operational effectiveness of existing and emerging systems and capabilities in representative operational environments.

• Leads the EO/IR team through development/implementation activities.

• Ability to build and test hardware prototypes in a laboratory environment as well as perform characterization of EO/IR subsystems and component level parts

Basic Qualifications:

• T06 (Sr. Staff Engineer): Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Optics, Lasers, Material Science, Chemistry, Physics or closely related STEM major with 14 years of relevant experience; 12 years with an MS; 10 years with PhD;

• Extensive work experience (Mastery) with one of the following areas related to EOIR systems: lasers, LiDAR, Sensing, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic protection, ID, or adaptive technique

• Demonstrated deep technical experience with sensor development, IR payloads, fiber optics

• Extensive background in EO/IR and laser technology and system design for airborne or space platforms

• Extensive experience with EO/IR sensor component design and performance analysis

• Experience in the modeling of EO/IR systems to assess performance

• Regularly takes a leadership role in providing insight and knowledge transfer to others on internal and external technical solutions to solve complex problems

• Knowledge of system engineering design methods, including requirements analysis and flow-down, specification derivation and interface control documentation

• Serve as organization spokesperson on multiple advanced projects and/or programs that have a direct impact on the sector (both technical and non-technical)

• An active in-scope U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance is required to start

• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP) prior to start

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD in Engineering, Optics, Lasers, Material Science, Chemistry, Physics, or closely related STEM discipline

• Extensive experience in airborne EO/IR sensor systems, including end to end subsystem design, integration, and performance assessment on platform

• Deep experience with high fidelity, physics based EO/IR performance models and optical modeling/design tools (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, Code V, FRED or equivalent)

• Experience performing concept development and technology trade studies balancing performance, cost, schedule, and mission objectives

• Background in algorithm development for EO/IR applications (e.g., detection, tracking, image processing, calibration) and associated performance analysis.

• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary EO/IR teams through full lifecycle activities (requirements, design, integration, test, and verification/validation)

• Strong experience in laboratory characterization and data analysis of EO/IR components and subsystems, including test planning and data reduction

• Use of optical metrology to measure parameters such as laser power, wavelength, pulse width, divergence and beam quality

Primary Level Salary Range: $166,500.00 - $249,700.00

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.