Staff Systems Engineer – Radiation Effects Test
| Company | Northrop Grumman |
|---|---|
| Location | El Segundo, CA, USA |
| Salary | $171000 – $256400 |
| Type | Full-Time |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD |
| Experience Level | Senior, Expert or higher |
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 12+ years of experience in engineering
- Master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 10+ years of experience in engineering
- PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) discipline with 8+ years of experience in engineering
Responsibilities
- Research, design, develop, and test a variety of electronic semiconductor circuit components (e.g. diodes, transistors, op amps, comparators, regulators, ADC/DAC, memories, ASICs, FPGAs, etc.) that are used in space and defense applications.
- Assist in test procedure development, interfacing with designers to elicit critical test requirements and stakeholder expectations to develop and execute achievable, value-added tests, ensuring that all test procedures comply with relevant industry standards (e.g. MIL-STD-883, MIL-STD-750, ASTM Standards, etc.)
- Perform Hardware Development Activities, including Circuit Design/Simulation, PCB Design and Development, Soldering and Board Population, Cable Development, Sample Delidding and Preparation, Fixture Development, etc.
- Perform Software Development Activities, including development of test scripts for automated routines or Automated Test Equipment
- Develop custom test beds using Electrical Test Equipment (e.g. Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Signal Generators, Network Analyzers, etc.)
- Perform dry runs and test readiness reviews
- Conduct electronic component characterization testing, measuring device electrical parameter degradation before and after the effects of ionizing and particle radiation (e.g. Total Ionizing Dose, Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity, Neutron Displacement Damage, Heavy Ion / Proton / Neutron Single Event Effects, Prompt Dose, SGEMP, etc.)
- Operate and maintain radiation test facilities and equipment, including Co-60 gamma-ray sources and Flash X-Ray machines
- Coordinate with radiation test facilities nationwide to confirm capabilities and availability, including traveling to and executing tests offsite at these facilities
- Analyze test measurements and develop test reports, summarizing results, conclusions, and recommendations for design improvements.
- Lead and coordinate test campaigns and design reviews, providing timely status and communicating risks to program leads and other radiation effects engineers. Manage multiple test projects simultaneously, ensuring that test activities are completed on-time and on-budget.
- Stay current with the latest advancements in radiation effects testing, propose and implement innovative testing methods or tools to improve the accuracy and efficiency of radiation effects testing.
- Mentor Junior Engineers in Radiation Effects Test Engineering.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics preferred
- Active, within scope, or current DoD Secret Clearance or above preferred at time of application and/or prior to start date
- Knowledge or experience with any of the following: Circuit design/simulation, part evaluations, parameter degradation.
- Testing for parameter degradation and parametric measurements
- Software or programming development
- Knowledge of basic radiation effects on electronics is a plus
- Altium PCB Design Software experience is a plus
- LabView and/or LabWindows Experience is a plus
- Experience in radiation effects testing and/or operation of irradiators is a plus
- Familiarity with Natural Radiation Effects, including Total Ionizing Dose, Displacement Damage Dose, and Single Event Effects such as Upsets, Latchup, Burnout, Transients, Functional Interrupts, etc.
- Familiarity with Nuclear Hardness & Survivability Design, Analysis, and/or Test: Transient Radiation Effects in Electronics, Photocurrent Burnout Analysis, System Generated EMP Analysis, Neutron Single Event Effects, Prompt Dose Effects, etc.
- Familiarity with Material Degradation Characterization: Micrometeoroid & Orbital Debris, UV Exposure, Atomic Oxygen Exposure, Electron/Proton/x-ray exposure
- Familiarity with Environment Calculation and Transport Modeling: Monte Carlo modeling, atomic oxygen calculations, dose-depth curves, displacement damage-depth curves, dose mapping.