Staff Electro-Optics Infrared (EO/IR) Engineer

Relocation assistance may be available. This position requires an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) and the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. Travel is required, approximately 10% of the time.

About the Role

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. 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.

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems sector is seeking a Staff Electro-Optics Infrared (EO/IR) Engineer to join our team in Melbourne, FL. The selected engineer will perform as a member of the EO/IR team in key efforts to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems. The successful engineer will contribute to the overall development of EO/IR sensor subsystems, including concept development, technology trade studies, requirements development and derivation, algorithm development, performance analysis, data analysis, and build and test of hardware prototypes.

Responsibilities

• Support design development and integration of EO/IR sensor subsystems and components to meet platform mission objectives.
• Develop, analyze, mature, and implement solutions translating customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
• Learn and utilize high-fidelity, physics-based EO/IR system performance models and optical modeling.
• Model, develop, and analyze sensor performance, predicting performance as installed on an airborne platform.
• Solicit input from various stakeholders, synthesize data, and communicate results.
• Ensure performance capabilities of new systems are traded against cost and mission requirements and assess operational effectiveness of existing and emerging systems in representative operational environments.
• Support the EO/IR team through development and implementation activities.
• Build and test hardware prototypes in a laboratory environment.
• Perform characterization of EO/IR subsystems and component-level parts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline and 12 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 10 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience with sensor development, IR payloads, or fiber optics.
• Background in EO/IR and laser technology and system design for airborne or space platforms.
• Experience with EO/IR sensor component design and performance analysis.
• Experience in the modeling of EO/IR systems to assess performance.
• Knowledge of system engineering design methods, including requirements analysis and flow-down, specification derivation, and interface control documentation.
• Active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong desire to learn, take initiative, and contribute in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated mathematical problem-solving ability and data analysis experience.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Work experience with one of the following areas related to EO/IR systems: lasers, LiDAR, sensing, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic protection, identification, or adaptive techniques.
• Customer focus and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience.
• Understanding of the physical limitations to implementing complex algorithms in real hardware.
• Experience working with free-space optics and characterizing optical/laser systems.
• Use of optical metrology to measure parameters such as laser power, wavelength, pulse width, divergence, and beam quality.

Pay

Primary level salary range: $152,900.00 - $229,300.00. 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.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.