RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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.

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 sector is seeking a **Principal/Sr. Principal Experimental SPM (Scanning Probe Microscopy)** to join our team of qualified individuals. This position will located in **Linthicum, MD OR Annapolis Junction, MD.** The qualified applicant will become part of the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center (NGMC).

We are seeking an experimental scientist with a scanning probe microscopy (SPM) experimental background that has an interest in Scanning SQUID Microscopy (SSM), and/or cryogenic Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM).

The ideal candidate should have experience that includes some of the following:

+ Prior experience with SPM, SSM, cryogenic STM, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) systems including building systems and/or day-to-day system operations and maintenance.

+ Background knowledge in experimental design, mechanical and electrical isolation, and/or materials R&D

+ Python and/or MATLAB experience/knowledge or willingness to learn

+ Analysis of resulting microscopy data

+ Experience with standard microscopy instrumentation including lock-in amplifiers, piezoelectric scanners, and AC/DC sources

What you need to be successful in the role:

+ Willing to contribute to materials R&D discussions and cross-coordinate with other teams to identify, build, complete, and measure the resulting experiments.

+ Motivated to learn new technologies and technical skills

+ Able to identify problems, analyze data, and course correct experimental plans

+ Able to collaborate in a small group setting

Your responsibilities:

+ Be a collaborative member of a team solving interesting questions

+ Assist in the day-to-day operations of equipment and equipment improvements.

+ Be responsible for identifying improvements to procedures and hardware/electronics

**This position will be based out of our Advanced Technology Lab (ATL) facility in Linthicum, Maryland or our Annapolis Junction, MD location. This position requires full-time work onsite** **.**

**_This position can be filled as either a Principal SPM Experimental Physicist or a Sr. Principal Experimental SPM Physicist_**

**Basic Qualifications for Principal Experimental SPM 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.

+ Experience with building and/or day-to-day maintenance of cryogenic scanning microscopy systems

+ Experience with lock-in amplifiers, piezoelectric scanners, and/or current sources

+ The ability to demonstrate strong communication skills and to work on a diverse multi-disciplinary team

+ A strong ability to learn new topics quickly and independently solve problems in a fast-paced environment.

+ **Clearance** : Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance per customers’ requirements

**Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Experimental SPM Physicist:**

+ Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) with 8 years of relevant 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 building and/or day-to-day maintenance of cryogenic scanning microscopy systems

+ Proficiency with lock-in amplifiers, piezoelectric scanners, and/or current sources

+ The ability to demonstrate strong communication skills and to work on a diverse multi-disciplinary team

+ A strong ability to learn new topics quickly and independently solve problems in a fast-paced environment.

+ **Clearance** : Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance per customers’ requirements.

**Preferred qualifications for Principal OR Sr. Principal Experimental SPM Physicist:**

+ PhD in experimental physics, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, or a related field

+ Experience with analyzing cryogenic or room temperature scanning microscopy data

+ Experience writing and contributing to version-controlled code in Python or MATLAB.

+ Active U.S. Government security clearance.

Salary Range: $127,400.00 - $191,200.00Salary Range 2: $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.