Sr. Principal AI Algorithm Dev. Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: NoneTRAVEL: 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 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.

Do you want to work at an international company with endless opportunities for growth and advancement?  Are you eager to join a trust-based, globally connected team, where your contributions will define what's possible?

We are looking for team members who want to solve interesting, complex problems which protect our nation. Your talents and passion are most important to us. If you don't know a language, program, or platform, we will teach you  Become a part of our enthusiastic team where we have fun working together and take pride in our contributions to the nation's safety.

We're seeking AI researchers and engineers with deep knowledge of Computer Science and a deep focus on Physical AI to design and implement intelligent autonomy algorithms that will be applied to the space domain. In this role, the ideal candidate will:

Perform Novel Algorithm R&D

• Design and implement state-of-the-art RL / SL algorithms drawn from the latest literature in order to build, test, validate, and deploy Physical AI policies applied to the space domain.
• Rapidly prototype in Python/JAX/PyTorch, then port to embedded C++/CUDA.

Develop Physics-Based Autonomy to perform Mission Planning & Decision-Making

• Apply supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and other Physical AI/ML techniques to high-fidelity astrodynamics planning and controls problems, including real-time constraint handling.
• Fuse learned policies with classical GNC filters for robust guidance, navigation, and closed-loop control.
• Build models that re-optimize delta-V, power, and comm- (among other) constrained timelines using neural search or differentiable optimization.
• Develop AI solutions for real-time anomaly detection and response to ensuring robust and adaptive spacecraft operations. This includes developing models that detect out-of-family telemetry and select corrective actions via hierarchical or policy-gradient RL
• Lead Monte-Carlo, Processor-in-the-Loop, Hardware-in-the-Loop, and digital twin campaigns to prove safety and performance per internal standards.

Basic Qualifications:

Sr. Principal Engineer

• Bachelor's Degree (in Computer Science, Reinforcement Learning, or in STEM) with 8 years of experience (or 6 years of experience w/ a Masters, or 4 years w/ a PhD).  Experience can be considered in lieu of degree
• Industry knowledge and/or foundational education in Physical AI and strong physics-based numerical modeling
• Industry knowledge and/or foundational education of AI, with a focus on ML, RL, or SL model development
• Proven track record of novel algorithm development (e.g., first-author papers, open-source releases, or production deployments)
• Hands-on coding of learning algorithms from primary literature—comfortable translating equations to optimized code
• Demonstrated physics-based AI application experience (e.g. for spacecraft, robotics, autonomous aircraft, drones, rockets, or similar) in academia or industry
• Proven experience in developing scalable RL/SL and other ML pipelines, with a track record of designing novel algorithms tailored to complex, real-world dynamics.
• Software Engineering Skills: Proficiency in software engineering best practices and standards, with experience in simulation development for space vehicle applications. This includes demonstrated experience in Embedded Software, Space Flight Software, or Simulation Software
• Python, CUDA, C/C++ programming experience
• Strong interest in space, national security, and related mission areas
• U.S. citizen

Preferred Qualifications:

• A PhD in Computer Science or in a related field with a focus on Physical AI
• Diverse programming proficiency: C/C++, CUDA, Python, Matlab/Simulink, Windows/Linux scripting
• Diverse experience in modern AI/ML tools such as NVIDIA Omniverse, scikit-learn, pytorch, tensorflow, Ray, MLflow
• Experience in system and subsystem specification development including verification methodologies
• Knowledge of and experience with multi-agent systems and their application in achieving coordinated autonomous system behavior.
• Expertise in using simulation tools (such as ROS, Gazebo, or similar) to test and validate autonomy algorithms in realistic scenarios.
• Proficiency in utilizing cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) for scaling machine learning workloads and managing large datasets.
• Hands-on technical experience with spacecraft or satellite related systems and in validating ML methods for embedded systems
• Proven experience working with technically diverse teams across multiple locations
• Experience with Space Flight Software and space simulation software
• Experience developing policies for Physical AI with experience in perception planning algorithms, end-to-end learning, 3D reconstruction, vision language models, world model development and/or other modern developments in Physical AI
• Experience working with both modular and end-to-end systems as well as designing both specialist and generalist policies
• Full stack AI developer with expertise in model development from perception to controls
• Active TS/SCI clearance

This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.

The Northrop Grumman Tactical Space Division is a strategic partner specializing in commercial and classified partnerships with the design, delivery, operation and sustainment of satellites and human spacecraft.  We support science and space exploration through our various partnerships, including NASA's Artemis program with the goal to return humans to the Moon in 2024 and the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) program that has discovered more than twenty confirmed plants.  Recognized as an industry leader, we also develop highly specialized space and satellite components.

Northrop Grumman offers a competitive and robust benefits program.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, 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

Flexible Schedules (For example the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work)

For more details please visit our total rewards site or chat with one of our recruiters to learn more.

Link:

Tags

NGFeaturedJobs

Space System

NoVASpace

DIVSE

MMIC

#LI-BC1

NGIS-SSEngineering

Primary Level Salary Range: $166, $249,400.00The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

---