Principal / Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 103,600 - 193,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems seeks a highly experienced Principal/Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer for Mission Systems-focused tests on multiple aircraft platforms. The candidate will serve as a technical authority for test planning, execution, and data analysis, coordinating between design engineering, maintenance, test operations, and customers.

The role requires leading test-planning groups, defining test configurations, TRRs, and real-time data analysis, with strong communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 5+ years of related professional/military experience, OR Master’s degree and 3+ years of related professional/military experience.
• Active US Government Secret clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test schedules.

Responsibilities

• Develop and publish Detailed Test Plans (DTPs), test procedures, and schedules for Mission Systems requirements.
• Lead Mission Systems test planning working groups across disciplines.
• Interface with design and analysis teams to define test configurations, instrumentation, and data collection requirements.
• Review and evaluate test requirements and traceability matrices for compliance.
• Perform technical analysis of Mission Systems performance and prepare evaluation reports.

Skills

Matlab

Python

Jira

Confluence

Windows

Linux

ARINC-429

MILSTD-1553

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline

Master’s degree

Tools

ARINC-429

MILSTD-1553

IADS

Job description

Job Overview

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a highly experienced Principal / Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer for Mission Systems focused test efforts for one or more aircraft platforms. The candidate will serve as a technical authority for Mission Systems system test planning, execution, and data analysis, and will act as a focal point between design engineering, maintenance, test operations, and the customer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and publish Detailed Test Plans (DTPs), test procedures, and schedules that address Mission Systems functional, performance, and survivability requirements for developmental and operational test phases.
• Lead Mission Systems test planning working groups, coordinating across multiple disciplines to align test objectives, resources, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Interface with design and analysis teams to define test configurations, instrumentation, and data collection requirements for Mission Systems subsystems.
• Review and evaluate test requirements and traceability matrices to ensure completeness, compliance and alignment with verification plans.
• Perform technical analysis of system level Mission Systems performance, preparing comprehensive evaluation reports that document compliance, margin, and any corrective actions required.
• Support the development, review, and approval of test cards and checklists in collaboration with design, test operations, and safety personnel.
• Conduct Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and Pre /Post Test Briefings to communicate status, risks, and findings to stakeholders.
• Provide real time mission control room support using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS), making safety critical decisions and adjusting test execution to maintain efficiency and data integrity.
• Execute pre and post test data analyses, applying statistical methods and model based verification to identify anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions for Mission Systems.
• Maintain and report testing metrics, flight hour utilization, and constraints using other enterprise tools.
• Mentor junior engineers and act as the principal subject matter expert (SME) for Mission Systems test methodology, standards, and best practices across the test team.
• Coordinate with security, safety, and certification authorities to ensure compliance with classified handling requirements and airworthiness directives.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Flight Test Engineer

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR Master’s degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience.
• Active US Government Secret clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test schedules.

Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience, OR Master’s degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience.
• Active US Government Secret clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current active in-scope U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Experience with Matlab, Python, Jira, Confluence, Windows, Linux, and network protocols.
• Outstanding oral and written communication; experience presenting technical briefings to senior leadership, contractors, and customers.
• Direct test experience with data bus standards such as ARINC-429, MILSTD-1553, etc.
• Prior experience working in classified environments for flight test operations.
• Prior experience and familiarity with the USAF Test Wing processes.

Salary and Benefits

Primary Level salary range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00.
Secondary Level salary range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00.
Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and, for certain positions, long term incentives. Benefits include health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business.

Relocation, Travel, and Clearance

• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Travel required: Yes, 10% of the time.
• Clearance required for start: Yes; clearance type: Secret.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

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, visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.