Physicist - Level 3 - East Hartford Security Clearance

Position: Physicist - Level 3 - East Hartford with Security Clearance
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:
Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START:
No CLEARANCE TYPE:
Top Secret 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.

Thermal, Optical, and Power Systems (TOPS), an operating unit within the Northrop Grumman Space Systems (NGSP) Division, has an exciting opportunity for a Physicist - Level 3 to support research and development activities in East Hartford, CT. TOPS designs and manufactures mission critical optical, photonic, and RF photonic solutions. We serve markets worldwide including defense (ISR, directed energy, laser communications), industrial (semiconductor) and scientific (astronomy).

TOPS has a long heritage of unique hardware solutions, and we are respected as innovators in our customer communities. Overview Reporting to the Optical and R&D Group Manager, the Principal Physicist will work with program managers and engineers to develop microwave and photonic solutions that meet specific program requirements and fulfill the key system functions. Systems may include RF, optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components.

Co-design of hardware and algorithms to create novel approaches to problems is a group specialty. Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment is essential. This position provides a broad, exciting opportunity in a high-growth, strategically important business for NGSP. We are seeking a team member with exceptional people skills, one who is valued by employees and customers alike. Our ideal candidate can rapidly come up to speed in new technology areas and effectively communicate their findings to team members and customers.

They are comfortable considering many approaches to a problem, can effectively manage trade studies between them, and making decisions amongst the options with the speed required to meet deadlines. This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) as well as obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding prior to start date. Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be an individual contributor as a Physicist on programs that have significant microwave or RF photonic aspects. You will work within interdisciplinary teams to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems, to include:
* Lead studies of RF/Photonics applications and derive candidate architectures for further "deep-dive" analysis into link budgets, environmental effects, and performance expectations

* Proactively research the state-of-art in RF applications, through literature studies, conference attendance, and discussion with other experts. Review and analyze business capture opportunities and participate in or lead proposal capture efforts

* Develop algorithms for the mission that make the best use of the chosen architecture, including model-based and AI/ML approaches

* Conduct trade studies to determine the optimal design and algorithm from the analyzed possibilities

* Oversee the fabrication and packaging of the chosen design by third-party providers

* Engage with customers, and clearly communicate the chosen approach and the reasons for the decision

* Work closely with and collaborate with the Special Programs Director, Program Managers and other technical personnel on proposals and responses to customer technical inquiries

* Travel regularly to customer locations to support design and…