Staff Systems Test Lead

Northrop Grumman; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 241,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in Rancho Bernardo, CA is seeking a Staff Systems Test Lead for the ACP Organization. The role requires coordinating lab, ground and flight tests, leading test engineering teams, and ensuring test objectives align with program goals in the Vanquish program.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in system test, risk management, and program leadership, with willingness to travel to Mojave, CA and other sites as needed, and the ability to obtain

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in STEM with 12 years experience, or a Master's with 10 years, or a PhD with 8 years.
• Background in System Test, lab, ground/flight test.
• Experience leading projects or teams.
• Ability to obtain US Government clearance and SAP access within a reasonable time.

Responsibilities

• Identify test program risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Coordinate ground test engineering and aircraft modifications for testing.
• Interact with multiple sites to ensure cost and schedule targets.
• Provide program leadership for test site staff and forecast resources.
• Lead test engineering personnel in a matrix environment and communicate effectively.
• Support extended shifts, weekends, and holidays as required.

Skills

Test leadership

Program risk management

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree or PhD in related field

Tools

MS Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Jira

Confluence

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

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’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Staff Systems Test Lead to join the team of qualified individuals on our Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) Organization. This role is located onsite in primarily in Rancho Bernardo, CA and will require support for ground and flight tests in Mojave, CA.

The Vanquish Program requires a Test Engineer to fill the role of the program Test Lead responsible for all facets of the Vanquish test program, including lab and flight test staffing, planning, execution and reporting. This position requires a highly motivated and self-starting individual with relevant test operations experience, who will be willing to support Vanquish test activities in the System Integration Lab (SIL). The Vanquish Test Lead will orchestrate lab, ground and flight integration and developmental testing for NGAS. The lead is responsible for ensuring engineering tests serve mission objectives and mechanisms are in place to execute the tests. The lead reviews status of test requirements, manages schedules, and prepares reports.

Job Responsibilities

• Identify all test and test program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans.
• Coordinate with ground test engineering and operations, aircraft modifications for testing.
• Frequent interaction with Engineering at Rancho Bernardo, Space Park, El Segundo, and Mojave, and ensuring cost and schedule performance targets are met.
• Provide program leadership for test site employees and provide timely resource forecasts to program management, assuring that proper staffing is in place to execute the Test Statement of Work.
• Excellent communication skills, experience leading test engineering personnel, and be capable of working in a matrix environment with multiple sources of management guidance.
• May be required to support extended shifts, occasional weekends, and holidays as required to maintain program schedule.

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other 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

• Bachelors degree in Science in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline with 12 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master's degree AND 10 years of related professional/military experience OR a Ph.D. AND 8 years of related professional/military experience
• Relevant experience to include a background in System Test experience, lab, ground/flight test.
• Prior experience leading projects or teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of program risk, opportunity and issue management process
• Ability to work flexible changing shifts based on the business need.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and written communication skills, as well as project management planning and presentation skills
• Proficient with MS Project, Excel, Power Point, Word
• Demonstrated ability to create trusted relationships
• Experience with Jira and Confluence tools
• Prior CAM and Earned Value Management experience
• Experience working with International customers

What We Offer

At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation -- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare, and a great 401K matching program.

Primary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $241,400.00

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.