Machine Perception (MP) Engineer – Level 6
About The Position
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. Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Machine Perception (MP) Engineer – Level 6 located in Dulles, VA, or Gilbert, AZ, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. This role will support our Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) department, located in Dulles, VA, or Gilbert, AZ. Space Systems is designing, building, and testing spacecraft for DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are leaders in innovative solutions to the evolving fields of space-based autonomous rendezvous and docking and rapid design/production of small satellites. We are seeking highly talented and ambitious engineers with backgrounds in Machine Perception, including Computer Vision (CV), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML). Experience and/or education in spacecraft navigation, robotics, and/or embedded processing is preferred. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with 14 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 12 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 9 years of professional experience. (Degree must be in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field)
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance. US citizenship
- Interest or experience integrating actuators/motion controllers into test or measurement systems (open-loop and closed-loop)
- Experience interfacing vendor hardware SDKs/DLLs with MATLAB or C++ (e.g., MEX, loadlibrary/calllib, .NET interop)
- Working knowledge of camera optics fundamentals (focal length, pixel pitch, FOV)
- Proficiency in C/C++ or C# and Matlab
- Some experience with control systems concepts (PID, feedforward control) as applied to positioning systems
- Strong problem-solving skills and interest in hands-on hardware integration work
Nice To Haves
- Active/Current Top Secret
- MS or PhD degree in engineering, physics, or math
- Experience with computer vision / image processing algorithm development
- Background in EO/IR sensor systems or space/defense optical payloads
- Familiarity with communication protocols for motion controllers (Serial, GPIB, USB, EtherCAT)
- Strong foundation in numerical methods and linear algebra (e.g. optimization, state estimation, coordinate transformations, numerical solvers)
- Exposure to realistic scene generation/rendering (e.g., physically-based rendering, synthetic sensor imagery, simulation environments)
- GPU programming experience (e.g., CUDA, OpenCL, shader-based pipelines) for real time rendering or accelerated image processing.
Responsibilities
- Design, integrate, and validate precision actuator-driver position systems for optical test and calibration
- Develop and maintain software interfaces between camera hardware SDKs/DLLs and C++/C#/Matlab, enabling synchronized image acquisition with actuator motion
- Assist in characterize and calibrate camera/optical system performance (PSF, MTF, distortion, FOV) using custom or COTS test benches
- Implement closed-loop and coordinated multi-axis motion control schemes, including coarse/fine position architectures
- Develop motion planning routines (scan patterns, trajectory generation) to support test cell or hardware in the loop (HITL) demonstrations
- Support system-level test architectures, including HIL setups simulating long-range or dynamic scenarios
- Document test procedures, calibration results, and system performance for engineering review
- Collaborate with senior engineers across optics, controls, and software disciplines to mature system designs
Benefits
- Relocation assistance may be available
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- overtime
- shift differential
- discretionary bonus
- Annual bonuses
- Long Term Incentives (for VP or Director positions)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
