Principal / Sr. Principal Test Conductor

Northrop Grumman; Edwards (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems at Edwards AFB, CA, seeks a Principal/Senior Principal Test Conductor to plan and coordinate test operations on the flight line and during ground testing. The role leads engineers and technicians, prepares test worksheets, conducts briefs, and ensures safe execution across shifts.

A Secret clearance is required, with potential relocation assistance and travel. This position offers salary ranges and comprehensive benefits; candidates must meet qualification

Qualifications

• Experience in system/aircraft test environments and test execution.
• Familiar with engineering guidance, data collection and documentation.
• Active US Government Secret clearance (or eligibility).
• Ability to obtain Top Secret and SAP clearances within timeframes.
• Willingness to work 4x10 or 3x10 shift schedules and travel domestically.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute ground test procedures and support flight line testing.
• Conduct preflight and postflight power-on checks.
• Provide engineering support for maintenance, repairs and test modifications.
• Supervise maintenance personnel on systems under test.
• Analyze test data and advise on alternative compliance options.
• Coordinate with support orgs for developmental test programs.
• Support post-test data processing to meet objectives.
• Willing to work various shifts and travel domestically as needed.

Skills

Test conduct/lead

Ground test planning

Operate across shifts

Travel willingness

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor degree

Master’s degree

Ph.D.

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Network analyzers

Special test equipment

MES

FMT

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 a Principal/Senior Principal Test Conductor to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This position will be located in Edwards AFB, CA.

The Test conductor will plan and coordinate test operations as an approved test conductor both on and off an active flight line. They will prepare test worksheets, lead engineering briefs, and direct a mixed team of engineers and technicians through ground test events. During launch and recovery operations, the GTE serves as the operational link between maintenance, engineering, mission control, and the pilots.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute ground test procedures and support active flight line testing.
• Conduct preflight and postflight power on checks.
• Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, and modifications to systems under test.
• Provide 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.
• Coordinate with support organizations in the execution and planning of a developmental test program.
• Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives.
• The selected candidate must be willing and able to work various shifts depending on the business needs: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st or 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 1st shift or 2nd shift.
• The selected candidate must be willing to support extended hours, shift rotations, weekends, and holidays as needed. The candidate must also be willing to travel domestically to support testing operations.

“This is an individual contributor role that may be filled at the Principal or Senior Principal level based on the qualifications listed below”

Basic Qualifications for Principal Test Conductor:

• Must have a High School Diploma and 9 years of related professional/military experience, OR Bachelor degree AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master’s degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience OR a Ph.D. AND 1 year of related professional/military experience.
• Must have experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment.
• Be familiar with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection etc.
• Be familiar with special test equipment, i.e. oscilloscopes, network analyzers etc.
• Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.

Basic Qualifications Sr. Principal Test Conductor:

• Must have a High School Diploma and 12 years of related professional/military experience, OR Bachelor degree AND 8 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master’s degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience OR a Ph.D. AND 4 Must have experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment.
• Be familiar with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection etc.
• Be familiar with special test equipment, i.e. oscilloscopes, network analyzers etc.
• Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance
• Experience as a Test Engineer or Test Conductor (includes test development, planning, and execution)
• Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items, and other test work documents
• Experience with MES, FMT, or other documentation systems

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.