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Principal/Sr Principal Test Engineer – FTO Ground Test

Edwards AFB, California, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Principal/Senior Principal Test Engineer - Flight Test Organization (FTO) Ground Test to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This position will be located in Edwards AFB, CA.

In this role, the selected candidate will plan and schedule test events, work with Responsible Engineers (REs) to develop test procedures, perform test article operations – both on and off an active flight line – and maintain a test point data base within the Strike FTO team. They will plan, coordinate, and conduct test operations as an approved test conductor; to include test deck preparation, engineering briefs/debriefs, and will lead our team through test missions as the link between the Maintenance team and the Mission Control Room Flight Test Engineering and Test Operations teams.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Develop and execute ground test procedures and support active flight line testing.
  • Conductor of preflight and postflight checks.
  • Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives
  • Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test, supervision, and direction to maintenance personnel for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test.
  • Analyze and interpret test data, provide recommendations to engineering and leadership for alternate means of compliance as required, and support development and execution of test objectives.

The selected Candidate must be willing to work 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift

We offer flexible work arrangements, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

**This requisition may be filled at either the Principal OR Senior. Principal level based on qualifications listed, below**

Basic Qualifications for Principal:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Science, Technical, Engineering or Math (STEM)
  • A minimum of 5 years of engineering experience with a BS Degree, 3 years engineering experience with a MS degree in STEM Field, or 1 year with a PhD in STEM Field

Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Science, Technical, Engineering or Math (STEM)
  • A minimum of 8 years of engineering experience with a BS Degree, 6 years engineering experience with a MS degree in STEM Field, or 4 years with a PhD in STEM Field

Basic Qualifications for both Principal and Sr Principal:

  • Must have an active DoD Secret Clearance or higher
  • Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Must be willing and able to work various shifts depending on the business needs: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4x10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 1st shift.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Flight test experience
  • Experience that includes test planning, execution, and operations
  • Experience in an aircraft maintenance/operations environment
  • Active DoD Top Secret clearance
  • Active Special Program Access (SAP)

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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