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Inspection Engineer / Principal Inspection Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Today
Secret
Unspecified
Unspecified
Linthicum Heights, MD (On-Site/Office)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

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.

The Microelectronics Center of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an independent, motivated and resourceful Inspection Engineer or Principal Inspection Engineer for our Advanced Technology Lab (ATL) - located outside of Baltimore, Maryland - where we design, manufacture, and test semiconductor products for internal and commercial production customers as well as emerging technology programs.

Northrop Grumman's ATL semiconductor foundry is a unique capability supporting a range of production microelectronic devices (Silicon, Gallium Arsenide, Gallium Nitride, Silicon Carbide, Carbon Nanotubes) and providing leading edge technology development in superconducting electronics. Our devices enable a number of Northrop Grumman's ground based radars, avionic radars, and space systems. Join us for the chance to work with an amazing, experienced, and talented team while helping serve your country. Enjoy the opportunity to grow and learn with a variety of challenging projects in R&D, ongoing long term programs, and new programs targeting future military platforms.

Our multidisciplinary foundry team enables activities from development to sustainment process engineering. ATL is responsible for all aspects of semiconductor technology including design, mask making, wafer fabrication, test, and assembly.

You'll Get To:

Actively participate as a collaborative team member, demonstrating excellent communication skills and resourcefulness across diverse tasks and challenges. Apply a strong understanding of semiconductor technology and metrology engineering to support inspection activities and problem-solving. Utilize knowledge of optical image and review techniques, tools, and practices to enhance inspection processes and outcomes.

Responsibilities may include:
  • Defect identification and classification with high level of accuracy using microscope and SEM
  • Identify production line issues and work with tool owners to resolve
  • Highlight wafer signatures and defect trend deviations on daily basis
  • Work with Senior engineer and peers on datamining defect origins
  • Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders, and take responsibility for working both independently and collaboratively to achieve project goals.
  • Improve automation of the inspection process, reduce cycle time, reduce reworks, and increase yield
  • Work in a cleanroom lab environment

#NGATL

This requisition may be filled as an Inspection Engineer or Principal Inspection Engineer.

Basic Qualifications for Inspection Engineer:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or other related STEM discipline with 2 years related experience; Master's degree with 0 years
  • Possess an understanding/knowledge of semiconductor processing with defect metrology tools (such as, dark field, bright field, and scanning electron microscopes, etc.)
  • Hands-on experience with Si, GaAs, or other wafers
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance is required


Basic Qualifications for Principal Inspection Engineer:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or other related STEM discipline with 5 years related experience; Master's degree with 3 years; PhD with 1+year
  • Possess an understanding/knowledge of semiconductor processing with defect metrology tools (such as, dark field, bright field, and scanning electron microscopes, etc.).
  • Hands-on experience with Si, GaAs, or other wafers.
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance is required.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Hands-on experience with defect metrology inspection and review tools
  • Hands-on experience with microscopes and semiconductor manufacturing
  • Experience with semiconductor electrical test data
  • Experience with analyzing wafer signatures and defect Pareto
  • Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), JMP
  • Experience with Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action for defects and misprocessing
  • Experience with installing new tools, as well as documenting and training new processes
  • Active Secret clearance


Primary Level Salary Range: $85,400.00 - $128,000.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $105,400.00 - $158,000.00

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.
group id: 10122071

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About Us
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
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