2027 Principal Research Scientist - Directed Energy and Thermal Physics - Manhattan Beach CA

Northrop Grumman is a space pioneer, supporting government, civil and commercial customers in solving their biggest challenges. Our forward-leaning, innovative spirit is backed by a legacy of expertise that began at the dawn of the space age. Our mission experience in space runs deep, we know our customers well, and our capabilities are unmatched. This is what allows us to provide reliable, agile and affordable space solutions to best serve our customers.

From defending freedom to advancing human discovery, we are defining what is possible in space every day.

Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies?  If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!

Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Principal Research Scientist – Directed Energy and Thermal Physics. This position will be located at our Space sector in Manhattan Beach, CA.  

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Research Laboratories department within Engineering West.

• →Develop and implement new technologies in a rapid prototype development laboratory environment supporting various spacecraft and aircraft systems.
• →Act as a subject matter expert in a field of study related to directed energy, optics, and/or thermal & vehicle technologies, and have general knowledge of related disciplines.
• →Perform impactful original research with a significant degree of autonomy and communicate results in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.
• →Create and leverage strategic collaborations with partner organizations such as universities, consortia, industrial suppliers, and national labs.
• →Collaborate with peers on major research thrusts and multidisciplinary projects, with the flexibility to take on diverse roles such as contributor, consulting expert, and principal investigator.
• →Generate intellectual property and transition emerging research into technological discriminators for NG Space, enabling breakthrough capabilities for USG missions.
• →Under consultation with NGSP Technology Principal Investigators, develop and communicate a multi-year vision for research and technology, with regular analysis of alternative courses of action and risk/reward scenarios.

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their degree (PhD) from an accredited institution
• Be majoring in or having majored in Applied Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Thermal Physics, or related field
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• PhD in Applied Physics, Materials Science, Electrical/Optical Engineering, Thermal Physics, or closely related field from an accredited university.
• Proficiency in team leadership, communication skills, and cost & schedule management.
• Experience as a researcher in topics such as nanotechnology for aerospace, directed energy / laser systems, next-generation thermal technologies, subsystem packaging, or high-power electronics.
• Experience in materials growth, fabrication, and characterization in a cleanroom environment
• Active in-scope DoD Top Secret or SCI clearance

$114,000 to $171,000   

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