Process Engineering Staff

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 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. Northrop Grumman Space Systems is looking for a Staff EO Signal Image Processing Engineer to support the Launch Vehicles business unit in Chandler, Arizona.Responsibilities include the design, development, verification, and implementation of image processing algorithms, high‑fidelity simulation tools, and physics‑based models supporting seeker development and flight test. The team develops and maintains high‑fidelity 6‑DOF simulations, evaluates seeker performance in relation to algorithms and hardware, and builds/maintains the seeker test suite. ResponsibilitiesLead and architect the development of advanced, high-fidelity seeker simulations and physics-based models (including closed-loop 6DOF) for overall system design, performance assessment, and flight test readiness.conduct in-depth trade studies and optimize for both performance and robustness across operational scenarios.Serve as principal technical interface and collaborator with GNC, systems, software, firmware, and hardware teams; provide guidance for requirements flow down, test planning, and verification strategies.Lead HWIL, lab, and real-time test activities, correlating simulation and model predictions with test/flight data; spearhead root cause analysis and direct model updates as required.Provide comprehensive technical leadership, mentor staff and junior engineers, and champion continuous improvement in modeling standards, coding practices, and configuration management.Basic QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Math, or related discipline from an accredited university and 12 years of related experience; or PhD and 8 years of related experience.Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.Demonstrated breadth and depth in image/signal processing algorithm development and physical optics system simulation for EO/IR or seeker-related programs, ideally as technical staff or lead.Extensive experience in implementing algorithms in C/C++ and Python or MATLAB, preferably for high-performance computing (HPC) environments.Proven experience leading the technical direction of modeling and simulation tasks for complex, high-reliability systems, including mentoring and oversight of engineering teams.Preferred QualificationsMS/PhD in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Math, or related discipline.Government DoD Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope.Experience serving as a technical lead or task lead for modeling and simulation on missile, hypersonic, or other high‑reliability systems, including familiarity with associated standards.Current experience with DoD missile defense programs and related performance and verification frameworks, ideally hypersonic applicationsFamiliarity with hardware/software integration and modeling physics‑based or real‑time systems, including HWIL environments.Proficiency in: C/C++ development and Linux environments, MATLAB and Python analysis and prototyping toolchains, Software change/configuration management tools, processes, and real‑time programming practicesExpert proficiency with scene generators such as MSLRAD or similar EO/IR scene generation tools.Demonstrated experience restructuring algorithms for improved performance on HPCs (e.g., Deep involvement with software and firmware development lifecycles, implementation of algorithms, and verification processes.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. 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. 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. Full time