Sr Principal Engineer Optical

Northrop Grumman•Salt Lake City, UT

8d•$135,000 - $202,600•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 (NGMS) is seeking a highly skilled Optical Engineer to join our fast‑paced fiber‑optic gyroscope (FOG) production line onsite in Salt Lake City, UT. The Engineer will design, model, analyze, and test optical and electro‑optical systems and components—including sensors, lasers, and fiber‑optics—while ensuring that production remains uninterrupted. The role demands deep knowledge of optical hardware, strong troubleshooting abilities, and the capability to drive cost‑effective, high‑quality manufacturing processes.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in STEM with 8 years of experience, Master's Degree in STEM with 6 years of experience, or a PhD in STEM with 4 years of experience.
Experience in optical/electro‑optical design, analysis, and testing.
Proven experience keeping a high‑mix production line operational.
Optical product performance enhancement and tolerance analysis.
Six‑Sigma, design‑to‑cost, and reliability engineering experience.
SPC, statistical analysis, and ROI evaluation.
Root‑cause analysis and corrective‑action planning.
Hands‑on with fiber splicers, optical spectrum analyzers, OTDR and OBR stations, white‑light interferometers, coupler fusion stations, and related test gear.
Strong communication, ability to work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams, and a data‑driven problem‑solving mindset.
US Citizenship.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.

Nice To Haves

B.S. in Optical/Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
Direct engineering support for electro‑optical assembly equipment, processes, and materials.
Track record of introducing new optical designs or products into a production environment.
Experience in a highly regulated sector (defense, aerospace, medical) with strict customer and process specifications.

Responsibilities

Create optical system models and detailed component specifications (tolerances, materials, interfaces).
Develop simulation and test procedures for sensors, lasers, fiber‑optic assemblies, and complete electro‑optical subsystems.
Apply design‑to‑cost analyses and Six‑Sigma tools to verify that optical requirements are satisfied within budget constraints.
Maintain continuous line uptime; prioritize rapid resolution of equipment or process issues that could halt production.
Possess in‑depth knowledge of Fiber optic gyro production equipment (splicers, spectrum analyzers, OTDR/OBR, interferometers, fusion stations) to troubleshoot optics and minimize downtime.
Interact daily with operators to gather feedback, diagnose manufacturing defects, and suggest process improvements.
Lead investigations of production anomalies, identifying root causes and coordinating cross‑functional corrective actions (materials, equipment, assembly processes).
Utilize statistical process control (SPC), yield analysis, and ROI‑focused metrics to drive process stability, yield enhancement, and cost reduction.
Work closely with design engineering to develop next‑generation fiber‑optic components and gyro architectures, ensuring designs are manufacturable.
Represent manufacturing in supplier capability assessments; partner with key vendors to improve yields and resolve failure investigations.
Develop and refine manufacturing processes for new optical designs, emphasizing scalability and repeatability.
Ensure all activities comply with stringent regulatory and customer requirements typical of defense‑related programs.