2026 Principal Research Scientist - Promontory UT

Northrop Grumman; Corinne (UT); On-site; USD 98,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman seeks Principal Research Scientists for its Space sector in Promontory, UT. You will join the Propulsion Engineering team of chemists and material scientists, developing methods for energetic materials and leading research projects from concept to publication or patentable outcomes.

The role emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, rigorous safety practices, and advancing materials used in solid propulsion systems. Requires PhD and security clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science completed.
• Be completing or has completed a PhD from an accredited institution.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovative methods for processing and handling of energetic materials.
• Evaluate and test new materials for solid propulsion systems across R&D and sustainment lifecycles.
• Assess material constituents and their degradation in challenging environments.
• Lead independent research projects from conception to completion.
• Design and analyze complex experiments and draw sound conclusions.
• Collaborate with propulsion, systems, structures, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Present findings through reports and presentations; pursue publications and patents.
• Contribute to strategic research programs and technology roadmaps for propulsion materials.
• Develop specifications and quality standards for solid propulsion materials including aging and surveillance.

Skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Technical communication

Safety compliance

Education

PhD completed in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science

PhD in a related field

Tools

DSC

TGA

DMA

Rheometry

Spectroscopy

Chromatography

Microscopy

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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.

Northrop Grumman is a space pioneer, supporting government, civil and commercial customers in solving their biggest challenges. Our forward-leaning, innovative spirit is backed by a legacy of expertise that began at the dawn of the space age. Our mission experience in space runs deep, we know our customers well, and our capabilities are unmatched. This is what allows us to provide reliable, agile and affordable space solutions to best serve our customers.

From defending freedom to advancing human discovery, we are defining what is possible in space every day.

Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!

Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Principal Research Scientists. This position will be located at our Space sector in Promontory, UT.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Engineering team of Chemists and Material Scientists.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovative methods and solutions for processing and safe handling of volatile, energetic and rapidly reacting materials.
• Evaluate and test new materials and formulations for application within solid propulsion systems across R&D and sustainment lifecycles.
• Assess material constituents and their susceptibility to degrading environments that can deteriorate propulsion systems performance
• Evaluate material compatibility with solid propulsion systems, components and other products
• Lead and conduct independent research projects from conception to completion, utilizing advanced experimental methodologies and techniques.
• Design, execute, and analyze complex experiments, interpreting results and drawing sound scientific conclusions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (propulsion, systems, structures, manufacturing, quality) to apply energetic materials expertise to new products and technologies.
• Prepare and present research findings through lab notebooks, technical reports, and presentations to internal and external stakeholders; advance results towards publications and patentable innovations for Northrop Grumman as appropriate.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of research programs and technology roadmaps for materials used in propulsion systems and propulsion systems products.
• Develop and refine specifications and quality standards necessary to support products and technologies of solid propulsion systems including surveillance, aging and sustainment activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Be completing or has completed their PhD from an accredited institution
• Be majoring in or having majored in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science Engineering
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral research focus in high temperature materials, analytical chemistry, polymers, carbon composites, coatings, energetic materials, explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, or reactive composites, including synthesis, formulation, or processing.
• Hands‑on experience with characterization of energetic or polymeric materials, such as DSC, TGA, DMA, rheometry, spectroscopy, chromatography, and/or microscopy.
• Experience with material aging, life prediction, or compatibility testing relevant to solid propulsion or similar high‑consequence systems.
• Demonstrated experience with safe handling of energetic/explosive materials in laboratory or pilot‑scale environments, including adherence to rigorous safety and hazard‑control practices.
• Record of peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, and/or patents in relevant technical areas.
• Experience working on multidisciplinary teams and communicating complex technical results to diverse audiences.

Salary Range

$98,400 to $147,600

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

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. 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.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

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. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.