Research Scientist level 3/4

Northrop Grumman • Rocket Center, WV

1d • $98,400 - $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.
This position in on site at our Rocket Center, WV location. No remote opportunities available for this position.

Position Summary:
Manage solid rocket propellant and explosive/warhead development from subscale through production
Formulate and tailor both existing and novel compositions of: propellants, explosives, rocket case bond liners, thermal rubber insulations, and adhesives
Proactively interact within cross-functional program teams as a materials expert
Interface with internal and external customers
Design experiments and perform statistical based analysis of physical and chemical technical data
Document work in technical reports, prepare presentations, and effectively communicate results to technical peers, program teams, and customers
Perform duties within industry specific regulations regarding safety, product and material requirements, and plant operations standards
Take responsibility for assuring quality, cost effectiveness, and timely completion of projects
Perform technical planning, cost estimation, and general proposal support for new business captures

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related science field
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance which requires US Citizenship as a pre-requisite
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment
• Ability and experience working effectively under deadlines, with considerable latitude in determining technical objectives and a track record of delivering results
• Effective at managing and executing several challenging projects simultaneously, and with competing priorities
• High ethical standards of work and personal conduct
• Willingness to work outside of standard work hours when needed to resolve issues
• Proficiency in MS office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Able to obtain a Secret Clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship as a prerequisite

Nice To Haves

• Experience with solid rocket propellant or PBX explosives / Warheads
• Experience with solid fuel ram jet technology
• Experience with data science, machine learning, or working with large data sets
• Understanding of relevant chemistries including elements of: polymer, organic, physical, and inorganic
• Understanding of relevant physical properties, measurements, characterization, and phenomena including: rheology, mixing, properties of particles, mechanics of viscoelastic materials
• Familiarity with chemical and physical analytical techniques such as: FTIR, GPC, GC, surface area, particle size, DSC, TGA
• Familiarity with exotherm behavior of energetic materials during DSC/SDT analysis
• Proficiency in with JMP software, or other statistical analysis software
• Experience with programing languages (Python, SQL)
• Understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Experience as a user or architect of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Responsibilities

• Manage solid rocket propellant and explosive/warhead development from subscale through production
• Formulate and tailor both existing and novel compositions of: propellants, explosives, rocket case bond liners, thermal rubber insulations, and adhesives
• Proactively interact within cross-functional program teams as a materials expert
• Interface with internal and external customers
• Design experiments and perform statistical based analysis of physical and chemical technical data
• Document work in technical reports, prepare presentations, and effectively communicate results to technical peers, program teams, and customers
• Perform duties within industry specific regulations regarding safety, product and material requirements, and plant operations standards
• Take responsibility for assuring quality, cost effectiveness, and timely completion of projects
• Perform technical planning, cost estimation, and general proposal support for new business captures

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior