Sr Principal/Principal Flight Test Engineer (Weapons)

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 103,600 - 155,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Annual bonuses

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to work at Edwards AFB, CA, focusing on weapon integration and testing. Responsibilities include data analysis, troubleshooting, and mission support.

The ideal candidate requires a relevant STEM degree and significant experience, along with a US Government clearance. Benefits include health insurance and potential bonuses.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of related engineering experience required for Principal Engineer role.
• 8+ years of related engineering experience required for Sr. Principal Engineer role.
• Must have US Government clearance and ability to obtain SAP clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform research, data gathering, analysis, and troubleshooting for weapons integration.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines for testing and sustainment tasks.
• Support test planning and provide real-time monitoring during missions.

Skills

STEM degree

Communication skills

Flight test experience

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in STEM

Job description

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to support weapon‑focused test efforts at Edwards AFB, CA.

Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance required for start: Yes. Clearance type: Secret. Travel: Yes, 10% of the time.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform duties in the weapons‑integration area, including research, data gathering, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Work from engineering specifications such as Software Requirements Packages, Interface Control Documents, Performance‑Based Specifications, architecture drawings, and other engineering instructions or technical data.
• Collaborate with test disciplines in a CTF environment and with IPTs to complete design, testing, and sustainment tasks for aircraft weapon systems.
• Independently determine and develop solution approaches.
• Communicate across engineering disciplines and technology areas to integrate capabilities and convey technical analyses to internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Support test‑planning activities for ground‑ and flight‑test weapon missions.
• Provide real‑time control‑room monitoring during missions, as well as post‑flight data analysis, troubleshooting, and report generation.
• Perform weapon‑system checkouts and update maintenance procedures.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer Flight Test Engineer

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master’s degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience.
• Must have an active US Government clearance (background within 6 years or enrollment in continuous evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd‑hour shifts, and occasional weekends.

Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Engineer 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 clearance (background within 6 years or enrollment in continuous evaluation).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd‑hour shifts, and occasional weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills; experience presenting technical briefings to senior leadership, contractors, and customers.
• Direct test experience in flight‑testing weapon systems and/or mission systems of military aircraft.
• Development/integration experience and working knowledge of weapons and payload systems.
• Prior experience working in classified environments and implementing Safety Management System (SMS) processes for flight‑test operations.
• Familiarity with USAF 412th 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, and discretionary bonuses. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and company results.

Benefits include health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation or personal business.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable EEO laws. For our full 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.