Sr Principal Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Northrop Grumman; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

9/80 work schedule with every other Fr

Phenomenal learning opportunities

Exposure to a wide variety of projects

Very friendly team environment

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Pilot - UAV based at Edwards AFB, CA. You will remotely pilot during UAV test events, lead briefs/debriefs, and collaborate with maintenance to resolve vehicle discrepancies.

The role requires extensive flight test experience, current FAA instrument rating, and an active Top Secret clearance. The position offers a 9/80 schedule and exposure to diverse projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8 years of related professional/military experience, or advanced degrees with required experience.
• Experience in flight test operations.
• FAA Commercial Multi & Single Engine instrument rated pilot with current FAA Class II Medical or higher.
• Minimum of 500 flight hours as Pilot in Command and instrument currency.
• Willing to work the occasional odd shift (Nights and Weekends).
• Ability to obtain and maintain required medical and training qualifications.
• Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance.
• Must be able to obtain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Ability to obtain SAP PARs after commencement of employment.

Responsibilities

• Remotely pilots vehicle to determine compliance with specification and operational suitability during experimental/ engineering/ ground and flight test events; demonstration support through specifically prescribed tests and maneuvers.
• Defines, plans, organizes and executes complex flight programs and flight test events.
• Conducts briefings and debriefings, and coordinates with maintenance personnel to analyze and correct vehicle discrepancies.
• Support engineering with development of test plans, procedures, and test cards.
• Attend Air Vehicle and Mission System Technical Interchange Meetings, Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, and Flight Readiness Reviews.
• Candidate may conduct demonstration flights with customers, government officials or other personnel to exhibit vehicle performance, flying qualities and system capabilities.

Skills

Flight test operations

FAA Commercial Multi & Single Engine

Pilot in Command hours

Top Secret clearance

UAV experience

Shift work capability

SAP clearance potential

Education

Bachelor's of Science degree with 8 years related experience

Master's degree with 6 years related experience

Ph.D. with 4 years related experience

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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.

Senior Principal Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

This position will be based in Edwards AFB, CA.

Put your flight test experience to work driving UAV test execution through key engineering milestones (TIMs, PDR/CDR, and FRR). You’ll remotely pilot during experimental and engineering test events, lead disciplined briefs/debriefs, and work side-by-side with maintenance and engineering to close vehicle discrepancies and refine test documentation.

Essential Functions

• Remotely pilots vehicle to determine compliance with specification and operational suitability during experimental/ engineering/ ground and flight test events; demonstration support through specifically prescribed tests and maneuvers.
• Defines, plans, organizes and executes complex flight programs and flight test events.
• Conducts briefings and debriefings, and coordinates with maintenance personnel to analyze and correct vehicle discrepancies.
• Support engineering with development of test plans, procedures, and test cards.
• Attend Air Vehicle and Mission System Technical Interchange Meetings, Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, and Flight Readiness Reviews.
• Candidate may conduct demonstration flights with customers, government officials or other personnel to exhibit vehicle performance, flying qualities and system capabilities.

• We offer flexible work arrangements
• 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off
• Phenomenal learning opportunities
• Exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers
• A very friendly team environment

We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's of Science 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 years of related professional/military experience.
• Position requires experience in flight test operations
• Must be FAA Commercial Multi & Single Engine instrument rated pilot (or military equivalent) plus current FAA Class II Medical or higher.
• Minimum of 500 hours of flight experience as Pilot in Command and able to maintain instrument currency in manned aircraft
• Must be able to work the occasional odd shift (Nights and Weekends)
• Must be willing to obtain and maintain the appropriate medical clearance(s), as defined per the customer’s contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment.
• Must be willing to obtain and maintain all training qualifications, as needed per the customer’s contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment.
• Must have an active US Government Top 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Flight test experience
• Military flight experience highly desirable
• Previous experience operating UAVs
• Aviation instructor experience also highly desired
• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such that the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Benefits

• 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.
• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• 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.