Quantum Instrument Engineer / Scientist

Northrop Grumman • Los Angeles, CA

56d • Onsite

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. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission! Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector is seeking a Quantum Instrument Engineer/Scientist to join our team of qualified individuals. This position is located in Woodland Hills, CA . The qualified applicant will become part of the Northrop Grumman's Advanced Microsystems (AμS) team with a focus on quantum sensing. As a part of this team, you will support both internally funded and externally funded research and development projects. These projects will range from early-stage research through to system level integration and demonstration. This position will also support the pursuit of new funding through outreach to potential customers, technical presentations, and proposal writing. We are seeking an experimental scientist/engineer with a quantum relevant background and specific training in electrical engineering, signal processing, instrument engineering, or AMO physics with preferred experience in precision measurement experiments and with good hands-on skills and a passionate interest in the development of atomic and quantum sensors and their applications. What You'll Get to Do: Be a collaborative member of a team solving interesting problems/questions. Assist in the day-to-day operations of equipment and equipment improvements. Work hands-on in the laboratory building, integrating, tuning and testing developmental sensors and systems. Work with small teams of engineers and scientists to solve sensor/system issues. Assist designing and building new sensors/systems under general guidance. Communicate technical and program status information to other members of the team and management chain. Prepare information about the research projects or technical details under general guidance from the Principal Investigator (PI) or technical lead. Continue to learn and expand your technical breadth and depth through self-motivated learning and cross-training within the team. Recognize when technical or programmatic challenges arise and initiate appropriate discussions to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. Work with a team to identifying improvements to procedures and hardware/electronics. This position will be based out of our facility in Woodland Hills, CA. This position requires full-time work onsite with some work travel (offsite testing and demonstrations, as well as customer meetings and conferences).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 2 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree in STEM related field.
• Experience with hands on experimental physics/engineering laboratory work.
• Familiarity with standard laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, lock-in amplifiers, laser systems, fiber-optics, digital multi-meters, and or AC/DC sources.
• Familiarity aligning, tuning, and locking laser systems.
• Familiarity building and assembling custom laboratory equipment.
• Familiarity troubleshooting electronics.
• Familiarity with mechanical design and fabrication.
• Familiarity with vacuum equipment and ultra-high vacuum system operation.
• Familiarity working with alkali atoms.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills and to work on a diverse multi-disciplinary team.
• A strong ability to learn new topics quickly and independently solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• US Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance or higher per customers' requirements within a timeframe acceptable to management.
• Ability to work onsite full-time at our Woodland Hills, CA campus.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in experimental AMO physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Experience with analyzing basic, complex, and large set data, including automation of data analysis.
• Experience writing and contributing to version-controlled code in Python or MATLAB.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• A strong background in experimental AMO physics or related technical background.
• Background knowledge in mechanical, electrical, optical, and/or vacuum system design, fabrication, and operation.
• Analog electrical engineering skills including new circuit design, fabrication, integration, tuning, and testing.
• Instrument engineering experience with preferred background in mechanical, optical, magnetic, and vacuum system design with knowledge of underlying physics/engineering principles.
• Strong Analog/digital signal processing background and experience.
• Experience designing photon shot-noise limited photo-detector circuits and low noise current drivers for coils and lasers.
• Experience with standard laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, lock-in amplifiers, digital multi-meters, and/or AC/DC sources.
• Excellent hands-on experience and capabilities in the lab.
• Python and/or MATLAB experience/knowledge or willingness to learn.
• Data analysis and modeling or willingness to learn.
• Knowledge with programing in LabView.
• Motivated to learn new technologies and technical skills.
• Able to identify problems, analyze data, and course correct experimental plans.
• Able to collaborate in a small group setting
• Willing to contribute to R&D discussions and cross-coordinate with other teams to identify, build, complete, and measure the resulting experiments.

Responsibilities

• Be a collaborative member of a team solving interesting problems/questions.
• Assist in the day-to-day operations of equipment and equipment improvements.
• Work hands-on in the laboratory building, integrating, tuning and testing developmental sensors and systems.
• Work with small teams of engineers and scientists to solve sensor/system issues.
• Assist designing and building new sensors/systems under general guidance.
• Communicate technical and program status information to other members of the team and management chain.
• Prepare information about the research projects or technical details under general guidance from the Principal Investigator (PI) or technical lead.
• Continue to learn and expand your technical breadth and depth through self-motivated learning and cross-training within the team.
• Recognize when technical or programmatic challenges arise and initiate appropriate discussions to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
• Work with a team to identifying improvements to procedures and hardware/electronics.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees