Staff Field Engineer (Flight Test)

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a senior field/test engineer to lead flight test activities for the MUX TACAIR system. You will integrate and troubleshoot UAS platforms, ground control stations, radios, and data links, with on-site diagnostics and cross-team coordination.

The role requires 12+ years in related work, DoD flight test experience, and ability to travel ~50% to field sites. Active DoD Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, or related) with 12+ years of relevant experience or Master’s degree with 10+ years.
• Hands-on experience supporting UAS or airborne platforms in flight test or operational environments.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot at platform, RF, network, and payload levels using test tools and telemetry.
• Experience planning and supporting DoD flight tests with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel ~50% to field/test sites; U.S. citizenship and active DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead field and flight test support for the MUX TACAIR system from planning through execution and post-flight analysis.
• Integrate, configure, and troubleshoot the UAS platform, ground control station, tactical radios, and data links.
• Provide on-site diagnostics and root-cause analysis across platform, RF, network, and payloads; coordinate actions with engineering.
• Support integration and verification of mission payloads during lab and flight test activities.
• Develop and maintain field procedures, checklists, and technical work instructions for flight test and operations.
• Generate flight test reports, discrepancy reports, and technical documentation communicating performance and resolutions.
• Mentor and guide junior field engineers, technicians, and operators in the flight test environment.
• Ensure all field activities comply with safety, spectrum, airworthiness, and security requirements.

Skills

Flight test support

UAS platforms

Troubleshooting RF & network

Technical documentation

Team leadership in field

DoD flight test experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree (optional or relevant fields)

Tools

RF test tools

Ground control station software

Payload testing tools

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available. CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes. CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret. TRAVEL: Yes, 50% 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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

What You'll get to Do:

• Lead field and flight test support for the MUX TACAIR system from planning through execution and post-flight analysis.
• Integrate, configure, and troubleshoot the UAS platform, ground control station, tactical radios, and communications/data links between air and ground.
• Provide on-site diagnostics and root-cause analysis across platform, RF, network, and payloads; capture data and coordinate corrective actions with engineering teams.
• Support integration and verification of mission payloads during lab and flight test activities.
• Develop and maintain field procedures, checklists, and technical work instructions for flight test and operations.
• Generate flight test reports, discrepancy reports, and technical documentation to communicate performance, anomalies, and resolutions.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior field engineers, technicians, and operators in the flight test environment.
• Ensure all field activities comply with safety, spectrum, airworthiness, and security requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience; OR an additional 4 years’ experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Hands-on experience supporting UAS or other airborne platforms in a flight test or operational environment.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot at platform, RF, network, and payload levels using RF and network test tools and system logs/telemetry.
• Experience planning and supporting DoD flight test or range testing with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50%, including extended periods at field/test sites.
• U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Secret clearance are required, with ability to obtain program-specific clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, Computer, RF/Communications, or related).
• Demonstrated experience with tactical radios and/or data links supporting air-ground command, control, and telemetry.
• Experience with UAS mission systems (flight control, navigation, ground control station software/HMI).
• Hands-on experience with RF payloads on airborne platforms.
• Knowledge of RF link budgets, antennas, propagation, and spectrum management for tactical communications/data links.
• Background in system integration and test (I&T) in both lab and flight test environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams in the field and interface directly with customers, test directors, and range personnel.

Primary Level Salary Range:

$139,700.00 - $209,500.00 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.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.