Advanced Programs - Staff Test Engineer - 18266

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 153,600 - 230,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Li

Paid Time Off

Health & Wellness Resources

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems in Huntsville, AL seeks a Staff Test Engineer to lead test planning and execution across subsystems and lab environments. The role includes translating requirements into test concepts, developing comprehensive test plans, and coordinating activities with internal teams and suppliers.

The ideal candidate will bring 12+ years in defense/aerospace testing, strong automation skills, and hands-on lab troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• US citizen with active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Ability to obtain Top Secret and SAP approval.
• 12+ years in test planning/execution for defense or aerospace systems.
• 5+ years hardware-in-the-loop or system-level test experience.
• 5+ years in development of innovative test automation solutions.
• Solid background in system and network administration (Linux/Windows).
• Hands-on troubleshooting and integration of software/hardware in labs.
• Familiarity with test equipment like oscilloscopes and network analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and configure HWIL/SWIL test facilities and readiness for Phase 2 and future tests.
• Translate contractual requirements into integrated test concepts balancing performance, schedule, and cost.
• Develop and lead comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules for subsystem, system, and lab tests.
• Coordinate integrated test activities across internal teams, test ops, and external suppliers.
• Maintain the Integrated Test Plan (ITP) with traceability of test requirements.
• Analyze test data and generate data-driven evaluation reports and design risk decisions.
• Review supplier test plans and verify delivered components and test data.
• Design proof-of-concept and risk-mitigation test methods and fixtures.
• Manage test data acquisition, configuration control, and documentation for traceability.
• Provide first-line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems.

Skills

Test planning

Test execution

Integrated test plans

Hardware-in-the-loop

Automation development

Troubleshooting

Team coordination

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

DOORS

Cameo

Jira

Confluence

Tableau

Job description

Description

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Staff Test Engineer. This position will be located in Huntsville, AL, supporting the Advanced Programs.

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance may be available.

Travel

Travel required: Yes, 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and configure test facilities and HWIL/SWIL laboratories, including planning, procurement, builds, and readiness for Phase 2 and future phase test activities.


• Translate customer contractual requirements into integrated test concepts and solutions that balance technical performance, schedule, and cost constraints.


• Develop and lead preparation and execution of comprehensive test plans, procedures, and schedules for subsystem, system, and lab-based testing, including In Air Eject Test and Underwater Eject Test events.


• Coordinate integrated test activities, resources, and configurations across internal engineering teams, test operations, and external suppliers to ensure test readiness and efficient execution.


• Contribute to and maintain the program Integrated Test Plan (ITP), ensuring completeness, consistency, and traceability of test requirements through verification and validation.


• Perform technical analysis of test data and system performance, generating clear, data-driven evaluation reports and recommendations to drive design and risk-reduction decisions.


• Review and assess supplier test plans, procedures, and results, including verification of delivered components and formal test data review for compliance to requirements.


• Design and implement proof‑of‑concept and early risk‑mitigation test methods, fixtures, and configurations to support Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction objectives.


• Manage test data acquisition, configuration control, analysis, and documentation using appropriate digital tools to ensure traceability and reusability.


• Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test, supervising and directing maintenance personnel.


• Serve as a technical liaison on test‑related matters with customers, subcontractors, and senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment on test strategy, execution status, and results while maintaining safety, security, and export‑control compliance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 12 years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree and 10 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 8 years of relevant experience.


• Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years.


• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time.


• 5+ years of experience developing and executing integrated test plans and procedures for complex defense or aerospace systems, including requirements traceability within a systems engineering framework (e.g., DOORS or equivalent).


• 5+ years of experience planning and executing hardware‑in‑the‑loop and/or system‑level hardware test activities, including coordination across multidisciplinary teams in a fast‑paced environment.


• 5+ years of experience in development of innovative Test Automation solutions.


• Solid background and experience in system and network administration, including Linux and Windows.


• Hands‑on troubleshooting and support organic/COTS software/hardware integration in the labs.


• Familiarity with special test equipment such as oscilloscopes and network analyzers.


• Ability to support Integration and Test/Checkout (IATC) of Hardware and Software configuration items.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.


• Experience developing and managing Integrated Test Plans (ITPs), test metrics, and risk‑mitigating test strategies for major acquisition or DoD programs.


• Experience leading hardware procurement and supplier test activities, including drafting or managing test‑related Statements of Work (SOW) and reviewing supplier test data.


• Experience with digital engineering and test/tooling ecosystems (e.g., Atlassian Jira/Confluence, MBSE/Cameo, and data analytics or visualization tools such as Tableau) to manage test configurations, issues, and metrics.


• Experience facilitating technical reviews or program reviews and working in a multidisciplinary, multi‑team environment with strong verbal and written communication skills.


• CompTIA Security+ Certification (or equivalent DoD 8570 certification).


• SSCP (Systems Security Practitioner).

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage.


• 401k.


• Educational Assistance.


• Life Insurance.


• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions.


• Paid Time Off.


• Health & Wellness Resources.


• Employee Discounts.

Schedule

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80 schedule.

Salary Range

Primary Level Salary Range: $153,600.00 - $230,400.00.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.