Sr. Principal Systems Test Engineer – Test Director

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

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Sr. Principal Systems Test Engineer – Test Director in Edwards AFB, CA or Palmdale, CA to lead flight test missions and ensure safety, efficiency, and discipline in testing.

The role requires coordinating with engineering disciplines and external agencies while safeguarding sensitive information. The candidate will oversee mission preparation, resources, and test plans, with responsibility for directing test control and flight test operations in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of related experience, or a Master’s with 6+ years, or a Ph.D. with 4+ years.

Responsibilities

• Brief pre- and post-event meetings.
• Supports test readiness reviews.
• Provides mission control room support and real-time safety/efficiency decisions.
• Supports simulations.
• Conducts pre/post-test data analyses for anomaly identification and resolution.
• Instructs other test directors when allowed by experience.
• Briefs upper management on event outcomes and planning.

Skills

Flight test leadership

Decision making under pressure

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in STEM

Master's degree (preferred)

Ph.D. (preferred)

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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Systems Test Engineer – Test Director to join the team of qualified individuals. Position will be in Edwards AFB, CA or Palmdale, CA.

The System Test IPT is seeking a Sr. Principal System Test Engineer to serve as a Test Director for the Flight Test Department. The Test Director supervises the execution of test missions, with a primary focus on safety, execution efficiency, standards, and test discipline. The Test Director ensures mission preparation is completed in accordance with local procedures, oversees the scheduling of resources and assets, and coordinates with all engineering disciplines and external agencies to ensure successful test execution. The Test Director safeguards sensitive and critical test information and adheres to the relevant Security Classification Guide. The Test Director has the authority to terminate the test event if the technical validity of the test is in question or safety jeopardized. Finally, the Test Director also helps to develop and review flight test plans and safety plans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Brief pre- and post-event meetings
• Supports test readiness reviews
• Provides mission control room support and makes real-time decisions regarding safety, security, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Supports simulations
• Conducts and contributes to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution.
• Instructs other test directors, experience permitting
• Brief upper management on event outcomes and planning

This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. Individuals must be able to work without appreciable direction to develop solutions to complex problems; must be able to work both within a team environment and independently; must be self-motivated, thorough, and detailed; and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.

Position requires willingness to accept changing and evolving roles & responsibilities in support of customers’ requirements and need.

We offer flexible work arrangements, 4/10 work schedule with every Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and 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 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 OR a Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience.
• 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.
• Maturity and professionalism to lead the execution of flight test missions, briefings and oversee team of test control and discipline engineers in Mission Control Room.
• Effectively function and make decisions in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• Mission control experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Ability to work odd shifts, weekends and/or overtime.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Ability to adhere to rules and regulations, and willingness to help change rules and regulations as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• FAA pilot rating
• Military operations experience
• Previous experience as aircrew member (Pilot, EWO, NAV, etc.)
• Advanced Flight Test Operations and Control Room experience
• Developmental Test and Operational Test operations experience.
• Previous qualification as a Test Conductor/Director
• Test Pilot School Graduate

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.