Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Edwards (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems seeks a Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer for radar-focused test efforts on aircraft platforms. The candidate serves as a technical authority for radar test planning, execution, and data analysis, coordinating between design, maintenance, test operations, and customers.

The role requires a BS in a STEM field with 8+ years or a MS with 6+ years, an active Secret clearance, and readiness for overtime and weekend testing in a classified environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM field with 8+ years of related experience or a Master's with 6+ years.
• Active US Government Secret clearance or ability to obtain, with SAP eligibility.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd hours, and weekends to support test schedules.

Responsibilities

• Develop and publish Detailed Test Plans and procedures for Radar tests.
• Lead cross‑discipline test planning and risk mitigation efforts.
• Define test configurations, instrumentation, and data collection for Radar subsystems.
• Perform system-level data analysis and prepare evaluation reports.
• Conduct TRRs and briefings to communicate status and findings.

Skills

Radar test planning

Test readiness

Data analysis

Mentoring

Oral communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Windows

VMware

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 is seeking a highly experienced Flight Test Engineer for Radar focused test efforts for one or more aircraft platforms.

The candidate will serve as a technical authority for Radar system test planning, execution, and data analysis, and will act as a focal point between design engineering, maintenance, test operations, and the customer.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and publish Detailed Test Plans (DTPs), test procedures, and schedules that address Radar functional and performance requirements for developmental and operational test phases.
• Lead Radar 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 Radar subsystems.
• Review and evaluate test requirements and traceability matrices to ensure completeness, and compliance and alignment with verification plans.
• Perform technical analysis of system level Radar 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.
• Maintain and report testing metrics, flight hour utilization, and constraints using enterprise tools.
• Mentor junior engineers and develop into a subject matter expert (SME) for Radar 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 a Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience
• 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 Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• A current active in-scope U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, Windows, VMWare
• Outstanding oral and written communication; experience presenting technical briefings to senior leadership, contractors, and customers
• Direct test experience with Radio Frequency (RF) electronic systems (Radar, Communications, etc)
• Experience working in classified environments for flight test operations
• Experience and familiarity with the USAF Test Wing processes
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting Radar systems

Primary 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.