Principal / Sr. Principal Atomic Molecular & Optical (AMO) Physicist

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security.  Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter.  Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Experimental Transformational Physicist to join our team of qualified individuals. This position is located in Woodland Hills, CA. The qualified applicant will become part of the Northrop Grumman Future Position, Navigation, and Timing Systems (FPNTS) team with a focus on quantum sensing. As a part of this team, you will support both internally funded and externally funded research and development projects. These projects will range from early-stage research through to system level integration and demonstration. This position will also support the pursuit of new funding through outreach to potential customers, technical presentations, and proposal writing.

We are seeking an experimental scientist with an AMO and precision measurement experimental background with good hands-on skills and a passionate interest in the development of atomic and quantum sensors and their applications.

What You’ll Get to Do:

• Be a collaborative member of a team solving interesting problems/questions.
• Work hands-on in the laboratory building, integrating, tuning and testing developmental sensors and systems.
• Support customer engagements and new business development.
• Work with and lead small teams of engineers and scientists to solve sensor/system issues or design and build new sensors/systems.
• Communicate technical and program status information to other members of the team and management chain.
• Present information about the research projects or technical details at conferences, customer meetings, and internal reviews.
• Continue to learn and expand your technical breadth and depth through self-motivated learning and cross-training within the team.
• Recognize when technical or programmatic challenges arise and initiate appropriate discussions to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
• Assist in the day-to-day operations of equipment and equipment improvements.
• Be responsible for identifying improvements to procedures and hardware/electronics.

This position will be based out of our facility in Woodland Hills, CA. This position requires full-time work onsite with some work travel (offsite testing and demonstrations, as well as customer meetings and conferences).

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Level or a Sr. Principal Level. 

Basic Qualifications for Principal Experimental Transformational Physicist:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 5 years of relevant experience; Master's degree in STEM related field with 3 years of relevant technical experience OR Masters’ degree in STEM related field and currently enrolled in a PhD program with a completion date prior to start with 1 year of relevant technical experience OR PhD in STEM related field with 1 year of relevant technical experience.
• Experience with hands on experimental physics laboratory work.
• Experience with standard laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, lock-in amplifiers, laser systems, fiber-optics, digital multi-meters, and or AC/DC sources.
• Experience aligning, tuning, and locking laser systems.
• Experience building and assembling custom laboratory equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting electronics.
• Familiarity with mechanical design and fabrication.
• Familiarity with vacuum equipment and ultra-high vacuum system operation.
• Experience working with alkali atoms.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills and to work on a diverse multi-disciplinary team.
• A strong ability to learn new topics quickly and independently solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• US Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance per customers’ requirements.
• Ability to work onsite full-time at our Woodland Hills, CA campus.

Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Experimental Transformational Physicist:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 8 years of relevant experience; Master's degree in STEM related field with 6 years of relevant technical experience; PhD in STEM related field with 4 years of relevant technical experience.

• Experience with hands on experimental physics laboratory work.
• Experience with standard laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, lock-in amplifiers, laser systems, fiber-optics, digital multi-meters, and or AC/DC sources.
• Experience aligning, tuning, and locking laser systems.
• Experience building and assembling custom laboratory equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting electronics.
• Familiarity with mechanical design and fabrication.
• Familiarity with vacuum equipment and ultra-high vacuum system operation.
• Experience working with alkali atoms.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills and to work on a diverse multi-disciplinary team.
• A strong ability to learn new topics quickly and independently solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• US Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance per customers’ requirements.
• Ability to work onsite full-time at our Woodland Hills, CA campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in experimental AMO physics or a related field.
• Experience with analyzing basic, complex, and large set data, including automation of data analysis.
• Experience writing and contributing to version-controlled code in Python or MATLAB.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• A strong background in experimental AMO physics or related technical background.
• Background knowledge in mechanical, electrical, optical, and/or vacuum system design, fabrication, and operation.
• Experience with standard laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, lock-in amplifiers, digital multi-meters, and/or AC/DC sources.
• Excellent hands-on experience and capabilities in the lab.
• Python and/or MATLAB experience/knowledge or willingness to learn.
• Data analysis and modeling or willingness to learn.
• Knowledge with programing in LabView.

What you need to be successful in the role:

• Motivated to learn new technologies and technical skills.
• Able to identify problems, analyze data, and course correct experimental plans.
• Able to collaborate in a small group setting.
• Willing to contribute to R&D discussions and cross-coordinate with other teams to identify, build, complete, and measure the resulting experiments.

Salary Range: $133,500.00 - $200,300.00Salary Range 2: $166,200.00 - $249,400.00

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.