Senior Principal Test Engineer

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 129,300 - 193,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company-paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Test Engineer to lead all aspects of the test program for NGAS. The role supports lab, ground, and flight testing across Rancho Bernardo and other locations, with up to 25% travel and secret clearance requirements.

Responsibilities include orchestrating testing, managing schedules, risk mitigation, and coordinating with multiple engineering teams to meet program cost and schedule targets.

Qualifications

• B.S. in a STEM field with 8+ years, or M.S. with 6+ years, or Ph.D. with 4+ years in ground/flight test.
• Experience leading flight test programs.
• Experience with program risk, opportunity, and issue management processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret or higher clearance, including SAP.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate lab, ground, and flight integration and developmental testing for NGAS.
• Ensure tests align with developmental objectives and establish mechanisms to execute the tests.
• Review status of test requirements, manage schedules, prepare test plans and test reports.
• Identify test program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans.
• Coordinate ground test engineering, operations, and aircraft modifications for testing.
• Interact with Engineering teams across locations to meet cost and schedule targets.
• Provide program leadership with staffing forecasts and timely resource forecasts for test site personnel.
• Lead test engineering personnel and operate effectively in a matrix environment.
• Support extended shifts and occasional weekends as required to maintain program schedules.

Skills

Flight test leadership

Risk/issue management

Travel readiness

MS Office tools

Jira

Confluence

Education

B.S. in STEM

M.S. in STEM

Ph.D. in STEM

Tools

MS Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Senior Principal Test Engineer – Overview

The Senior Principal Test Engineer will lead all aspects of the test program for next‑generation aircraft in the RAD organization. The role supports laboratory and flight testing in the System Integration Lab (SIL) in Rancho Bernardo as well as ground and flight demonstrations across locations such as El Segundo, Space Park, and Palmdale.

Relocation & Travel

Relocation Assistance: Available (if required)
Clearance: Secret clearance required at start; ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret or higher clearance, including SAP, is required.
Travel: Up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate lab, ground, and flight integration and developmental testing for NGAS.
• Ensure engineering tests align with developmental objectives and establish mechanisms to execute the tests.
• Review status of test requirements, manage schedules, prepare test plans and test reports.
• Identify test program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans.
• Coordinate ground test engineering, operations, and aircraft modifications for testing.
• Interact with Engineering teams in Rancho Bernardo, Space Park, El Segundo, and Palmdale to meet cost and schedule targets.
• Provide program leadership with staffing forecasts and timely resource forecasts for test site personnel.
• Lead test engineering personnel and operate effectively in a matrix environment.
• Support extended shifts and occasional weekends as required to maintain program schedules.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in a STEM field with 8+ years of relevant ground and flight test military/professional experience, ORM.S. in a STEM field with 6+ years, ORPh.D. in a STEM field with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading flight test programs.
• Experience with program risk, opportunity, and issue management processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Top Secret or higher clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by business needs.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional 2 years of experience beyond the basic qualifications.
• Experience leading a test team in a dynamic work environment.
• Excellent organizational, written communication, project management planning, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated ability to create trusted relationships.
• Experience with Jira and Confluence tools.
• Active Top Secret clearance (background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently undergoing Continuous Evaluation).
• Prior clearance to SAP or SCI Primary Level.

Salary Range

$129,300.00 – $193,900.00 (base salary). The actual offer may vary based on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, and market conditions. Eligibility for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and long‑term incentives may apply for higher level positions.

Benefits

Health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business.

EEO & Citizenship Statement

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions are made 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.
U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.