Sr. Principal Research Scientist - 4
About The Position
Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is hiring a Sr. Principal Research Scientist in Promontory, Utah. The insulation and liner scientist applies polymer, chemistry, and engineering expertise to complex engineering challenges and develops solutions that improve performance, reliability, and lifecycle costs. The role supports rocket manufacturing production by managing material obsolescence, supplier changes, and qualification of new materials and processes. The scientist serves as a principal investigator and contributor to research, development, and testing involving materials and processes for rubber production, processing, and post-processing. The position follows either a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off, or a 4/10 schedule, with every Friday off. Travel is required 10% of the time. Relocation assistance may be available. A clearance is not required to start, but the candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or Polymer Science with 8 years of professional experience; or a master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience; or a Ph.D. 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 applying rheology to characterize polymeric materials.
- Prior experience guiding and mentoring junior scientists.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance.
- U.S. citizenship 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 for diagnostic, development, and 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, and testing techniques related to polymers and composites, including rheology, GPC, NMR, DSC, and DMA.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a subject matter expert with design ownership of rubber specifications.
- Support research and development of new rubber and liner formulations.
- Manage formulation component changes resulting from obsolescence, supplier changes, and processing changes.
- Author engineering test plans, define test objectives, prepare detailed test planning, oversee test activities, and prepare test reports.
- Perform work within assigned budgets and schedules while coordinating with program managers, IR&D leadership, project engineers, and others in Propulsion Systems.
- Present data and recommendations to internal and external customers.
- Support near-term production needs and long-term growth efforts.
- Grow and develop technical knowledge and depth within the group.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position
- Annual bonuses designed to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results
- Long-term incentives may be available to employees in Vice President or Director positions
- Relocation assistance may be available
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
