Principal / Senior Principal Electromechanical/Instrumentation Engineer Palmdale, CA
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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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal / Senior Principal Electromechanical/Instrumentation Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This position will be located in Palmdale, CA supporting 3rd Shift.

The selected candidate will apply their electrical, mechanical, and computer skills while utilizing complex, state of the art, load control and data acquisition systems to execute testing containing hundreds of load/position/pressure control channels while acquiring feedback /data from thousands of sensors four our Full-Scale Test team (FST). The FST team performs all structural testing, both static and fatigue, ranging from component level to full scale air vehicle.

The candidate will collaborate with various disciplines and different levels of personnel throughout all phases of Structural Testing towards a collective objective and must exhibit excellent communication skills and exceptional abilities to work well within a diverse team. Functional performance includes test planning, hardware and instrumentation design, set-up, and operation, as well as test set-up, execution, troubleshooting, data reduction and test report preparation/presentation. This is a very unique role that requires the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in both electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic facets involved with all testing functions interchangeably. Candidate must have familiarity with operating and the basic concepts pertaining to data acquisition and load control hardware as well as related instrumentation such as: LVDTs, Strain Gages, String Pots, Load Cells, etc.

The selected candidate must be a motivated, driven individual with excellent communication skills, capable of successfully completing statement of work with minimal oversight/supervision. Candidate must have strong analytical/troubleshooting skills. Candidate will potentially serve as a leader and mentor to entry-level engineers and technicians.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Setup, program, operate, and maintain load control and data acquisition systems.

  • Plan and arrange for the equipment and personnel required to fulfill test requirements.

  • Contribute to the development, fabrication and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical components, sub-assemblies, systems, and full-scale test stands.

  • Co-Author and publish test/instrumentation procedures, test reports and other documents as necessary to support the statement of work (SOW).

  • Participate in formal readiness reviews throughout all phases of testing.

  • Participate in post-test data evaluation, issue identification, and resolutions.

  • Set up, install, and troubleshoot all types of instrumentation (load cells, LVDTs, strain gages, string pots, thermocouples, etc.) and understand their associated functional concepts.

  • Creating 2D/3D drawings in AutoCAD and/or NX

The selected Candidate must be willing to work various shifts depending on the business needs: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4x10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 4x10 (Mon-Thurs) 3 rd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 1st shift; 3x10 schedule ( Fri, Sat, Sun) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule ( Fri, Sat, Sun) 3 rd shift.

Basic Qualifications:

This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal level.

Basic Qualifications for Principal:

  • A Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).

  • A minimum of 5 years of applicable experience with a BS Degree or 3 years with a MS degree in STEM Field

Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal:

  • A Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).

  • A minimum of 9 years of applicable experience with a BS Degree or 7 years with a MS degree in STEM Field

Both Principal and Sr Principal Engineer

  • Proficiency with Electromechanical/Instrumentation Engineering concepts and functions such as control system setup and tuning processes as well as basic data acquisition/signal conditioning principles

  • Familiarity with operating and the basic concepts pertaining to data acquisition and load control hardware as well as related instrumentation such as: LVDTs, Strain Gages, String Pots, Load Cells, etc.

  • Familiarity with the development, fabrication and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical components, sub-assemblies, systems and full scale test stands

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance.

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 5 years direct hands-on experience with test, instrumentation & control engineering applications with Moog and/or MTS control system

  • Experience with structures testing, load control and data acquisition systems

  • Experience in mechanical assembly & test, analog electronics, transducers, strain gage design & installation

  • Hands-on skill application in servo valves, pneumatic/hydraulic system design, set up, and checkout

  • Ability to assess complex anomalies, apply strong critical thinking skills, and develop resolutions effectively within a team

  • Experienced user in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, AutoCAD, CATIA, NX

  • Proficiency with C syntax, LabView, and VBA programming/scripting

  • Current Program SAP Access (STRIKE)

Salary Range: $104,600 - $157,000

Salary Range 2: $129,700 - $194,500

Employees may be eligible for 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.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO . U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.

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