Strategic Space Systems Division (SSSD) is an industry-leading provider for launch systems capabilities serving national security, military, civil and commercial 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.

SSSD has an opening for a Staff Systems Engineer to join our Radiation Effects Engineering team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in either Redondo Beach, CA or Gilbert, AZ (with occasional work activity in Chandler, AZ).

The candidate will join the team as a Radiation Effects Test Engineer. The ideal candidate will be responsible for planning, executing, and analyzing tests to evaluate the effects of ionizing or particle radiation on various electronic components and systems. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the survivability and performance of our products in radiation-prone environments within space and nuclear hardness applications. As such, the candidate will be responsible for all activities associated with the development and execution of their assigned tests at the piece-part or hybrid level with potential to engage on radiation testing at the circuit level or higher levels of system integration.

Travel is expected up to 25% of the time.

*This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s), holding final clearance(s), and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding prior to start date.

Role and Responsibilities:

-Research, design, develop, and test a variety of electronic semiconductor circuit components (e.g. diodes, transistors, op amps, comparators, regulators, ADC/DAC, memories, ASICs, FPGAs, etc.) that are used in space and defense applications.

-Assist in test procedure development, interfacing with designers to elicit critical test requirements and stakeholder expectations to develop and execute achievable, value-added tests, ensuring that all test procedures comply with relevant industry standards (e.g. MIL-STD-883, MIL-STD-750, ASTM Standards, etc.)

-Perform Hardware Development Activities, including Circuit Design/Simulation, PCB Design and Development, Soldering and Board Population, Cable Development, Sample Delidding and Preparation, Fixture Development, etc.

-Perform Software Development Activities, including development of test scripts for automated routines or Automated Test Equipment

-Develop custom test beds using Electrical Test Equipment (e.g. Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Signal Generators, Network Analyzers, etc.)

-Perform dry runs and test readiness reviews

-Conduct electronic component characterization testing, measuring device electrical parameter degradation before and after the effects of ionizing and particle radiation (e.g. Total Ionizing Dose, Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity, Neutron Displacement Damage, Heavy Ion / Proton / Neutron Single Event Effects, Prompt Dose, SGEMP, etc.)

-Operate and maintain radiation test facilities and equipment, including Co-60 gamma-ray sources and Flash X-Ray machines

-Coordinate with radiation test facilities nationwide to confirm capabilities and availability, including traveling to and executing tests offsite at these facilities

-Analyze test measurements and develop test reports, summarizing results, conclusions, and recommendations for design improvements.

-Lead and coordinate test campaigns and design reviews, providing timely status and communicating risks to program leads and other radiation effects engineers. Manage multiple test projects simultaneously, ensuring that test activities are completed on-time and on-budget.

-Stay current with the latest advancements in radiation effects testing, propose and implement innovative testing methods or tools to improve the accuracy and efficiency of radiation effects testing.

-Mentor Junior Engineers in Radiation Effects Test Engineering

Basic Qualifications:

-Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 12+ years of experience in engineering OR

-Master's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 10+ years of experience in engineering OR

-PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 8+ years of experience in engineering

-Candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance prior to start date

Preferred Qualifications:

-Master’s Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics preferred

-Active, within scope, or current DoD Secret Clearance or above preferred at time of application

-Knowledge or experience with any of the following:

-Circuit design/simulation, part evaluations, parameter degradation.

-Testing for parameter degradation and parametric measurements

-Software or programming development

-Knowledge of basic radiation effects on electronics is a plus

-Altium PCB Design Software experience is a plus

-LabView and/or LabWindows Experience is a plus

-Experience in radiation effects testing and/or operation of irradiators is a plus

-Familiarity with Natural Radiation Effects, including Total Ionizing Dose, Displacement Damage Dose, and Single Event Effects such as Upsets, Latchup, Burnout, Transients, Functional Interrupts, etc.

-Familiarity with Nuclear Hardness & Survivability Design, Analysis, and/or Test: Transient Radiation Effects in Electronics, Photocurrent Burnout Analysis, System Generated EMP Analysis, Neutron Single Event Effects, Prompt Dose Effects, etc.

-Familiarity with Material Degradation Characterization: Micrometeoroid & Orbital Debris, UV Exposure, Atomic Oxygen Exposure, Electron/Proton/x-ray exposure

-Familiarity with Environment Calculation and Transport Modeling: Monte Carlo modeling, atomic oxygen calculations, dose-depth curves, displacement damage-depth curves, dose mapping

*This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s), holding final clearance(s), and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding prior to start date.

Northrop Grumman offers a competitive and robust benefits program. As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:

-Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

-401k

-Educational Assistance

-Life Insurance

-Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

-Paid Time Off

-Health & Wellness Resources

-Employee Discounts

-Flexible Schedules: For example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.

-For more details, please view Northrop Grumman Benefits.