Sr Principal Engineer Optical

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.

Strategic Space Systems Division (SSSD) is an industry-leading provider for prime satellite and payload capabilities and directed energy and electronics solutions for national security, military, and civil customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable, and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector, located in Redondo Beach, California, is seeking a Senior Principal Optical Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The qualified applicant will become part of Northrop Grumman's Laser & Sensor Subsystems Department.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Designing optical instruments, assemblies and subsystems using optical and engineering design tools

• Building optical instruments, assemblies and subsystems using optical alignment, integration and test methods

• Working with and managing external suppliers to enable delivery of critical optical hardware

• Working both independently and as part of larger diverse teams, including the capacity to lead engineering teams which draw upon a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines

• Developing technical solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts

 This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) field from an accredited institution
• A minimum of 9 Years of experience in the design and integration & test of optical instruments, assemblies or subsystems; or 7 years of experience in the design and integration & test of optical instruments, assemblies or subsystems with a STEM Master's degree; or 4 years of experience in design and integration & test of optical instruments, assemblies or subsystems with a STEM PhD degree
• Experience developing engineering solutions for EO/IR instruments, sensors and payloads, OR high energy lasers & directed energy systems, OR optical communications systems
• Capable of preparing and presenting briefing packages to both internal and external customers, communicating technical approaches and findings

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with design/analysis/test software including Matlab, Code V, Zemax, Python, Solidworks, LabView, or FRED

• Experience working with and managing suppliers of optical instruments, assemblies and subsystems
• Ability to design optical systems, including free-space optical beam trains, telescopes, adaptive optics assemblies, and focal planes, and ability to work with test equipment such as interferometers, theodolites, wavefront sensors, optical fiber splicing and measurement equipment, and near-field, far-field and imaging sensors
• Experience with technical writing and proposal efforts
• Ability to maintain an active U.S. Government security clearance at the Top Secret level with a background investigation date within 6 years, or the ability to maintain an active U.S. Government SCI access with a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) completed within the last 5 years

LosAngelesSpace

Salary Range: $142,800 USD - $214,200 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.