Thermal Test Technician (Level 3/4)

0909 SP - Orbital Space Systems; United States; On-site; USD 67,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Thermal Test Technician (Level 3/4) to support thermal vacuum and cycle testing of complex flight hardware in Redondo Beach, CA. The role requires independent work in small teams, with MS Office proficiency and the ability to handle mechanical/electrical maintenance.

The position offers a 9/80 schedule, comprehensive benefits, and potential shift work, highlighting safety and high-quality test environments for space systems.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 4 years (Level 3) or 6 years (Level 4) of technician experience.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret Clearance or SCI Access.

Responsibilities

• Operate thermal vacuum chambers and related equipment (pumps, gauges).
• Monitor pressures and manage heating/cooling methods.
• Install, fabricate and troubleshoot thermocouples; hook up basic electrical circuits.
• Perform helium leak detection and basic plumbing; use QA/contamination monitoring tools.
• Work with data acquisition software and hardware; program temperature controllers.
• Work shifts including occasional weekends and up to 50 lb lifting; operate cranes/forklifts.

Skills

Blueprints & Schematics

Electrical & Mechanical

DoD Top Secret Clearance

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

LabView

Data Acquisition Systems

QCM/RGA

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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. Embark on a career putting innovative, reliable, and agile products and ideas into orbit, and beyond. Northrop Grumman has opportunities waiting for you that play a vital role in human space exploration, national defense, and scientific discovery, supporting multiple programs across the universe. With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today. Space Systems is an industry-leading provider for prime satellite and payload capabilities and directed energy and electronics solutions for national security, military, and civil customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible.

The Thermal Test Department is seeking an Thermal Test Technician (Level 3/4) with electronics and mechanical skill set to support thermal vacuum and cycle testing of complex flight and development hardware. Preferred candidate will be a self-starter able to work independently or in small teams using schematics, diagrams, written and verbal descriptions to perform environmental testing set up and operations. Must be able to demonstrate machine operations as well as mechanical and/or electrical maintenance and repair. The ideal candidate has experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). This position is 100% located in Redondo Beach, CA.

Typical duties include:

• Operation of thermal vacuum chambers and the associated equipment such as (not limited to): rough, cryo and turbo molecular pumps
• Monitor pressure with ion and convection gauges
• Utilize convection, conduction and radiative methods of heating and cooling energy transfer
• Install, fabricate and troubleshoot thermocouples
• Hook up basic electrical circuits as related to heaters used in thermal vacuum chambers
• Perform helium leak detection and basic plumbing
• Setup and operate QCM and/or RGA contamination monitoring equipment in vacuum chambers
• Work safely with liquid nitrogen and gaseous nitrogen
• Operate cranes, forklifts and other various lift equipment
• Utilize computers and software used for data acquisition and test heater control
• Program and operate temperature process controllers (set point, ramp rate, high and low limits)
• Basic Electronic skills (AC/DC resistance measurements)
• Ability to work off hours and weekends
• Ability to frequently move and position objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Work in high bays and cleanrooms

Candidate must be willing to support any shift when required.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

• Medical
• Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications (Level 3):

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D)
• Minimum 4 years of experience performing technician responsibilities.
• Experience with one or more of the following: Blueprints, Technical Drawings, Diagrams, Instructions, or Schematics.
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret Clearance or SCI Access.

Basic Qualifications (Level 4):

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D)
• Minimum 6 years of experience performing technician responsibilities.
• Experience with one or more of the following: Blueprints, Technical Drawings, Diagrams, Instructions, or Schematics.
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret Clearance or SCI Access.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience Operating and Maintaining Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Cycle Chambers
• Experience working on space flight hardware or thermal testing
• Experience with LabView and data acquisition systems
• Experience working in a clean room facility
• Experience with mechanical and electronic repair
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance, DoE Q Clearance OR SCI Access.

Primary Level Salary Range: $66,600.00 - $111,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $79,100.00 - $131,900.00

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.

Existing Applicants: Need to update your contact information or email address? Once logged in, click on Candidate Home in the upper right corner and scroll to the bottom of that screen to see buttons for: Update Contact information to update your legal name, address, and phone number Edit Account Settings to edit your email address

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.