Sr Staff Test Pilot

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 201,400 - 302,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance coverage

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Melbourne, FL is seeking a Senior Staff Pilot Test (Chief Test Pilot) responsible for overseeing flight test programs and collaborating closely with various engineering teams. This critical role involves managing flight test risk and leading pilots to ensure safe flight operations.

The ideal candidate will possess a relevant degree, extensive flight experience, and top-level clearance. Competitive salary range from $201,400 to $302,200 along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 14 years of experience or 12 years with Master's or 10 years with PhD for Senior Staff.
• Graduate of Military Test Pilot School.
• Must obtain FAA Second Class medical certificate.
• 1,250 hours tactical aircraft pilot time with 500 hours as Pilot in Command.
• Experience as a test pilot in developmental test program.

Responsibilities

• Lead flight test risk management and support design and development.
• Build skilled test pilot cadre for flight test program.
• Ensure effective design contributions and support the Chief Engineer.
• Chair pilot working group and lead flight experienced leadership.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Flight test leadership

Tactical pilot experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science

Master’s Degree in Science

PhD

Job description

Job Summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems seeks a Senior Staff Pilot Test (Chief Test Pilot) to join our Test and Evaluation organization in Melbourne, FL. The role supports the design, development and certification of aircraft and air system, working closely with Integrated Product Teams, the Chief Engineer and systems engineers. The CTP will lead flight test risk management and contribute to critical program phases and reviews.

Key Conditions

Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance required: Top Secret. Travel: Yes, 25% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and sustain a cadre of skilled test pilots and production pilots to safely execute the flight test program.
• Ensure early and effective contributions to air vehicle design, cockpit/crew station design and Pilot Vehicle Interface areas.
• Support the Chief Engineer on various design trades and analysis.
• Chair the pilot working group.
• Provide flight experienced leadership in critical program phases and reviews, such as SRR, PDR, CDR, FRR, and TRR.
• Provide direction to engineers on design definition, simulator flights, test planning, test card writing, flight test techniques, test conduct, test reporting, and proposal preparation.
• Ensure effective test pilot training, FTE training, MCR training and ensuring proficiency of staff.
• Perform initial flights on prototypes and test articles for new clean sheet air vehicles.
• Plan, develop, and perform flight tests to verify air worthiness, performance capabilities, and mission effectiveness using various simulators, surrogate aircraft, test‑bed aircraft, and the program air vehicle.
• Partner closely with the Directors of Test and Safety to ensure that the test team is conducting safe and effective ground and flight test operations.
• Collaborate with Service test pilots as well as Integrated Test Team personnel.
• Develop standards and protocols and ensure lessons learned are communicated with appropriate teams.
• Develop and manage the test vehicle pilot handbook and eventual NATOPS manual.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and 14 years of experience or a Master’s Degree in Science and 12 years of experience or a PhD and 10 years of experience for Senior Staff level position.
• Military Test Pilot School graduate of USNTPS, USAFTPS, Empire Test Pilots School, or EPNER.
• Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top Secret clearance (DoD must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
• Must have the ability to obtain and hold an FAA Second Class medical certificate.
• Must have a minimum of 1,250 hours tactical aircraft pilot time with 500 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC).
• Must have previous experience as a test pilot in a developmental test program.
• Must have aircraft carrier pilot experience (>150 arrested landings).
• Must have strong leadership and communication skills with relevant flight test leadership experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Weapons School graduate.
• Must have 5th Generation fighter flight hours.
• Multi-Engine Land and Single Engine Land FAA Commercial pilot license.
• 737 Type Certification knowledge and experience with risk management and mitigation.
• Previous experience leading a military or corporate test organization.
• Master’s degree in a related STEM field.

Compensation

Salary range: $201,400.00 - $302,200.00. This is a general guideline; base pay may vary based on factors such as scope, experience, and market conditions. Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus and other incentives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

EEO Statement

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make 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.

Additional Information

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.