Research Scientist - 3 / 4

Northrop Grumman•Corinne, UT

2d•$122,800 - $184,200•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. 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 Sr. Principal Research Scientist - 4 located in Promontory, UT, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. An insulation & liner scientist uses their polymer, chemistry, and engineering experience to solve complex engineering challenges with solutions that improve performance, reliability, and lifecycle costs. They support rocket manufacturing production by managing material obsolescence, addressing supplier changes, and qualifying new materials and processes. They are the principal investigators and contributors for research, development, and test efforts involving materials and processes necessary for rubber production, processing, and post processing activities. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off or the 4/10 schedule with every Friday off.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or Polymer Science with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience
Knowledge of solid rocket motor production, including related manufacturing processes
Professional experience with polymers, viscoelastic materials, and polymer formulation development
Experience with applying rheology to characterize polymeric materials
Prior experience guiding and mentoring junior scientists
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance
U.S. Citizenship is required at the time of application

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry with 4 years of professional experience
Professional experience with polymers or elastomeric thermal insulation necessary for diagnostic, development, qualification efforts
Prior experience in elastomeric insulation or solid rocket motor component development and qualification efforts
Professional experience with additive manufacturing
Proven leadership qualities and strong interpersonal skills
Experience with proposals and budgeting for new projects
Familiarity with polymer science, polymer formulations, testing techniques related to polymers and composites including rheology, GPC, NMR, DSC, DMA
Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar

Responsibilities

Subject Matter Expert (SME) with design ownership of rubber specifications
Support the research and development of new rubber and liner formulations
Manage formulation component changes due to obsolescence, supplier changes, processing changes
Author engineering test plans, define test objectives, write detailed planning to direct test efforts, provide oversight for test activities, and prepare test reports
Perform tasks within assigned budgets, and schedules coordinating with program managers, IR&D leadership, project engineers, and others in Propulsion Systems
Present data and recommendations to internal and external customers
Support both near-term production needs and long-term growth efforts
Grow and develop technical knowledge and depth within the group