Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a Research Scientist – Level 3 or Level 4 located in Promontory, UT, you’ll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one.       

The Sr Principal Research Scientist should have a fundamental understanding of carbon materials and processes.  They would be responsible for designing and researching basic material properties for existing and future carbon phenolic and carbon-carbon materials.  Other responsibilities include providing subject matter expertise to R&D and production organizations.  Candidate should be willing to challenge status-quo, conventions and assumptions while providing technical expertise on a variety of material issues, including material selection, supply chain support, failure investigation, and production/facilities support.  This person will lead and develop a technical roadmap including selection, characterization, and development of high temperature thermal protection and ablative materials and processes.  This position is focused but not limited to supporting research and development of phenolic ablative materials for nozzle configurations as well as high temperature ablative carbon materials for nozzle and re-entry body applications.     

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.  

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Research and develop both current and future ablative materials to support nozzle design and production 

• Lead and develop technical roadmap including selection and characterization of novel high temperature & ablative materials such as carbon cloth phenolic and carbon-carbon materials 

• Design and develop subscale components, test specimens, and fixtures 

• Develop manufacturing processes with novel thermal protection & ablative materials 

• Presentation of data and recommendations to internal and external customers  

• Lead or support failure investigations  

• Support production, design and research with carbon phenolic material issues for a variety of programs and NG locations   

• Author instruction for execution of fabrication, assembly, and testing of materials 

• Review and author material and production specifications    

• Coordinate and schedule work through multiple organizations   

• Other duties as assigned 

Why you? You’re the candidate we’re searching for if you are ready to achieve the impossible alongside like-minded innovators.  

This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4. 

Basic Qualifications for Level 3: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field  with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field  with 1 year of professional experience.    

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance 

• Experience with testing, selection, development, and characterization of high temperature materials   

• Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory testing techniques and experience conducting experiments    

• Previous lab experience and experience with completing experiments 

• Written and oral communication skills 

• Time management and organizational skills 

• Ability to convey technical concepts to a non-technical audience  

• Excellent ability to work across multiple organizations and levels within those organizations 

Basic Qualifications for Level 4: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or other related field with 4 years of professional experience.    

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance 

• Experience with testing, selection, development, and characterization of high temperature materials   

• Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory testing techniques and experience conducting experiments    

• Previous lab experience and experience with completing experiments 

• Written and oral communication skills 

• Time management and organizational skills 

• Ability to convey technical concepts to a non-technical audience  

• Excellent ability to work across multiple organizations and levels within those organizations 

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Knowledge of nozzle designs and fabrication methods 

• Knowledge of hypersonics thermal protection design and fabrication methods  

• Experience with phenolic and carbon-based product manufacturing 

• Experience with aerospace materials and processing specifications 

• Demonstrated modeling and drawing experience 

• General understanding of classical lamination theory and anisotropic materials  

• Knowledge of GD&T  

• Advanced degree preferred  

• Knowledge of 2D and 3D carbon-carbon 

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below: 

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space 

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.  

​​Northrop Grumman Total Rewards​