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Research Scientist 3 / 4

Corinne, Utah, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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.

If forging a secure future excites you, look no further! Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector provides an arena where your passion for innovation and quest for exploration are welcome. As a Research Scientist – Level 3 or Level 4 your role at Promontory, UT will be pivotal in supporting missions critical to national and global security.  Ready to join forces with our visionary team?   

Propulsion Systems is seeking a Research Scientist to join our Research & Development Labs Nozzle and C/C TPS team in our Promontory, UT offices. The Sr Principal / Principal Research Scientist is responsible for executing strong research and problem-solving capability in an R&D and production support organization.  This individual will provide technical expertise and consultation on a variety of material issues, including material selection, supply chain support, failure investigation, tooling design, prototype process engineering, and production/facilities support.  This position is focused but not limited to supporting research and development of ablative composite materials for nozzle configurations as well as high temperature ablative composite materials for nozzle and re-entry body applications.   

This position will work a 4/10 schedule, with every Friday off.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Mechanical engineering and tooling design support for advanced programs

  • Develop estimates and perform feasibility studies for advanced technology contracts

  • Design improvements to tape wrap

  • Supporting failure investigations

  • Production support and material testing for a variety of programs at PS and other NG locations 

  • Design of subscale components, test specimens, tooling, and fixtures

  • Write instructions/planning for execution of fabrication, assembly, and testing

  • Material selection and characterization

  • Review of material and production specifications  

  • Presentation of data and recommendations to internal and external customers

  • Other duties as assigned

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!

This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for  Level 3:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.   

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance

  • Demonstrated knowledge of production and manufacturing techniques   

  • Experience with CAD software

 

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.   

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance

  • Demonstrated knowledge of production and manufacturing techniques   

  • Experience with CAD software

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of nozzle designs and fabrication methods

  • Experience with composite and metal tooling design

  • Previous laboratory and experimental experience

  • Experience with phenolic and carbon based product manufacturing

  • Experience with aerospace materials and processing specifications

  • Experience with NX.

  • Experienced in tool design practices and familiarity with NG tooling requirements

  • General understanding of classical lamination theory and anisotropic materials

  • Advanced knowledge interpreting engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and GD&T

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  • Excellent time management and organizational skills

  • Ability to convey technical concepts to a non-technical audience

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards 

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

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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