Principal Surface Physicist/ Sr. Principal Surface Physicist

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: A US Government security clearance per customer's requirements.

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 by 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! 

Your responsibilities:

The Surface Scientist will be responsible for the advanced fabrication and characterization of emerging materials, with a focus on controlling and understanding atomic and electronic structures at surfaces and interfaces.

• Develop physical chemistry-based experiments and models related to surface functionalization to improve device performance.
• Characterization of thin film surfaces and interfaces to understand functionalization of surfaces.
• Document methods and results in technical papers and presentations.
• Coordinate experiments to understand chemical-based loss mechanisms.
• Work closely with MDA foundry process integrators to ensure chemical compatibility of product materials with fabrication processing

• Communicate iteratively and regularly with the simulation team, physicists, engineers, and organizational leadership to determine development requirements and report on progress.

What you need to be successful in the role:

The ideal candidate has knowledge of state-of-the-art scientific in joint experimental-theory collaborations with a particular focus on chemical characterization and functionalization. Strong candidates demonstrate scientific curiosity and are excited to participate in the evolution of new technologies and can effectively communicate their own knowledge to others.

• Innovative problem-solving skills.
• Motivation to learn new technologies and technical skills necessary to advance them.
• Ability to collaborate in a small group setting as well as work independently.
• Interdisciplinary communication skills.

This position requires 100% work on site at our Linthicum, MD location and/or our Annapolis Junction, MD location.

  

This position can be filled at the Principal level OR the Sr. Principal level.  Qualifications for both are listed below:

Basic Qualifications for Principal Surface Physicist:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 5 years of relevant experience; Master's degree in STEM related field with 3 years' of relevant technical experience OR Masters’ degree in STEM related field and currently enrolled in a PhD program with a completion date prior to start with 1 year of relevant technical experience OR PhD in STEM related field with 1 year of relevant technical experience.
• Proficiency with surface characterization tools—examples include (but are not limited to) XPS, Auger, x-ray absorption, Raman spectroscopy).

• Experience working closely with cross-functional teams to translate fundamental research into functional technologies.
• Experience analyzing and presenting conclusions from experiments of materials and interfaces.

• This position requires the applicant to be a U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance per business requirements.

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Surface Physicist:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 8 years of relevant technical experience; Master’s Degree in STEM related field with 6 years’ of relevant technical experience; PhD in STEM related field with 4 years of relevant technical experience.
• Proficiency with surface characterization tools—examples include (but are not limited to) XPS, Auger, x-ray absorption, Raman spectroscopy).

• Experience working closely with cross-functional teams to translate fundamental research into functional technologies.

• This position requires the applicant to be a U.S. Citizen.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance per business requirements.

Preferred Qualifications for both Principal AND Sr. Principal Surface Physicist:

• PhD in STEM related field (materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, applied physics, etc.).
• Knowledge/experience with chemical mechanical planarization.
• Characterization of surface and interfaces in thin film materials.

• Degree in physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or related STEM field.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range: $127,400.00 - $191,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $158,600.00 - $238,000.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

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.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.