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Principal Metrology Engineer

Virginia, Waynesboro, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Waynesboro, VA will deliver advanced radars, communications antennas, and electronic warfare capabilities. Slated to open in 2026, we are adding hundreds of high-quality jobs in the heart of Virginia. Together, we will work to deliver the world’s most advanced technologies to protect our national security.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Metrology Engineer based out of our Blue Ridge Advanced Manufacturing Center. 

What You'll Get to Do:

  • Provide technical leadership for the Laboratory (with the Lead Metrologist)

  • Support calibration systems and activities involving the traceable and systematic test and measurement characteristics such as length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, and derived units of physical or chemical measure

  • Identify the magnitude of error sources contributing to uncertainty of results to determine reliability of measurement process in quantitative terms

  • Develop calibration methods and techniques based on principles of measurement science, technical analysis of measurement problems, and accuracy and precision requirements

  • Develop and evaluate metrology calibration systems that measure characteristics of objects, substances, or phenomena, such as length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, and derived units of physical or chemical measure

Essential Functions:

Standards & Methods

  • Develop calibration standards, systems and procedures

  • Inspect and evaluate new calibration standards for proper operation before releasing to calibration laboratory

  • Recommend standards for use in calibration applications, including Test Equipment Justification

  • Design and document measurement reference material for laboratory use

  • Perform uncertainty evaluation and analysis for measurement standards and associated measurement

Calibration

  • Perform interval analysis

  • Perform calibrations as required (We have a team of Calibration Technicians who perform routine calibrations.)

  • Lead or participate in troubleshooting and root cause analysis of measurement issues or measurement system problems

Equipment

  • Evaluate and recommend M&TE for use in measurement applications

  • Evaluate suppliers’ products and work with them to resolve product issues and make improvements

  • Train technicians and engineers in calibration methodologies and measurement principles

Workflow

  • Support the workflow as needed (exceptions, extensions, etc.)

#MPR


Basic Qualifications for the Principal Metrologist:

  • Bachelor of Science degree or higher in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline and a minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience OR a Master’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant engineering experience

  • Experience in Mechanical and Electrical Metrology and Calibration with the ability to assist technicians in the performance of calibration

  • Experience designing and documenting measurement reference material and uncertainty for laboratory use; problem solving for uncertainty

  • Experience training technicians and engineers in calibration methodologies and measurement principles

  • Experience in solving technical problems 

  • Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Clearance.

  • US citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with Dimensions, Temperature, Humidity, Pressure/Vacuum, and Electrical Metrology

  • Experience troubleshooting, calibrating, and programming devices, machine centers, VTL’s, VBM’s and CMMs

  • Experience in a programming language (PYTHON, C++, Java)

What We Can Offer You:

Be part of a culture that thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work.

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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