Staff Pilot Test

Northrop Grumman; Patuxent Highland (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems seeks a Staff Test Pilot to support E-2D production acceptance flight tests and Foreign Military Sales. Based onsite in Patuxent River, MD, you will perform as pilot in command on flight test missions, develop test plans, and mentor engineers on the test team.

Domestic and international travel up to 50% is required. The role emphasizes leadership, safety, and collaboration across large cross-functional teams to ensure successful test programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM field and 12 years of related experience, or a Master’s with 10 years, or STEM PhD with 8 years.
• Active US Government Secret clearance or higher with recent clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain air vehicle acceptance procedures with technical justification.
• Oversee test plans and test cards for safety and efficiency.
• Lead pre-flight briefs and post-flight debriefs with aircrew and engineers.
• Execute missions as PIC during flight tests and mentor team members.
• Coordinate training events and manage NATOPS materials.

Skills

Pilot experience

NATOPS qualification

Flight test leadership

Team mentorship

Safety and procedures

Education

Bachelor of Science in STEM

Master of Science in STEM

Tools

FAA Pilot Certificate

Job description

Key Facts

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the Time Description

Company Culture

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.

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Staff Test Pilot to join the team of qualified individuals on our Test and Evaluation organization. This role is located onsite in Patuxent River, MD. In this role, the successful candidate will work as a highly motivated Test Pilot to support E-2D production acceptance flight tests and Foreign Military Sales.

Acceptance flights include new production and modification program induction, verification, sell off and delivery. Occasional collateral duties include the support of E-2D Integrated Test Team in Patuxent River, MD and various E-2 programs at Melbourne, Florida campus. ITT test program support include Aerial Refueling testing, Hawkeye Cockpit Technical Refresh development, Delta System Software Configuration upgrade development testing, and future missions systems development programs. Candidate will support engineering, systems safety, product support, and the E-2 program with development of systems and vehicle test plans, procedures, and test cards. Candidate will also provide NATOPS manual inputs and conduct E-2 aircrew training. Candidate shall display professionalism, leadership, have a strong work ethic, work well with others, and be able to function with little to no direct supervision. Additionally, the candidate will be required to provide training and mentorship to other pilots and engineers on the test team. Domestic and international travel up to 50% required. Extended international travel possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain air vehicle acceptance procedures to include technical justification


• Provide oversight for development of test plans / test cards to ensure safety and efficiency


• Lead pre-flight briefs to efficiently coordinate complex air vehicle testing with large team of aircrew and engineers.


• Lead post-flight debriefs to collect relevant test data and ensure lessons learned are captured for future testing


• Execute missions as pilot in command during flight test missions


• Coordinate group training events to encourage continued learning within the test team


• Mentor Pilots and Flight Test Engineers


• Incorporate \"lessons learned\" and process improvements to maintain / improve safety and efficiency within the team


• Author pilot daily reports highlighting details of test missions


• Manage NATOPS and aircrew training materials changes

Learning Opportunities

We offer 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 Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 12 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 10 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 8 years of related professional/military experience


• Must have an active US Government Secret (or higher) 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


• Must have current or former E-2D pilot NATOPS Qualification.


• Must have at least 2,000 hours total time and 1,000 hours experience in E-2 or C-2.


• Must be able to pass FAA Class II physical as a condition of employment.


• Must have FAA commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument rating


• Must have FAA Radio Operators permit


• Must be willing and able to support travel up to 50% to include extended trips both domestic and international


• Must be willing and able to support varying shifts, overtime, and holidays as needed to support business objectives


• 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 emp