Staff Test Pilot

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 277,400; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Staff Test Pilot to join our Test and Evaluation team. The role is onsite in St. Augustine, FL with a future 1-year assignment in Melbourne, FL, and requires supporting E-2D production tests and foreign military sales.

The ideal candidate will lead complex air vehicle testing, develop test plans, and mentor the test team while maintaining high safety standards. 50% travel and potential international travel are expected.

Qualifications

• Must have a STEM degree with extensive related experience.
• Active US Government Secret clearance or higher.
• Ability to obtain SAP clearance and NATOPS qualification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain air vehicle acceptance procedures with technical justification.
• Oversee test plans / test cards for safety and efficiency.
• Lead pre-flight briefs coordinating aircrew and engineers.
• Lead post-flight debriefs to capture lessons learned.
• Execute pilot-in-command flights during testing.
• Coordinate group trainings within the test team.
• Mentor Pilots and Flight Test Engineers.
• Incorporate lessons learned to improve safety and efficiency.
• Author daily pilot reports and manage NATOPS materials.

Education

Bachelor of Science in STEM + 12 years experience

Master of Science in STEM + 10 years experience

STEM Ph.D. + 8 years experience

Tools

FAA pilot certificate (multi-engine & instrument)

FAA Radio Operators permit

NATOPS Qualification

Active Secret clearance (US government)

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 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 St. Augustine, FL with future temporary, 1-year assignment in Melbourne, FL .

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. Candidate will be based in St Augustine, Florida and directly support the E-2D production line.

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

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 deploy on an extended domestic assignment for 12 months to the NG Melbourne, FL campus.
• 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 employment.
• Must be willing to obtain and maintain all training qualifications, as needed per the customer’s contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hold or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Internationally recognized Test Pilot School graduate or be able to obtain a NAVAIR Test Pilot School (TPS) waiver.
• Experience working with foreign military personnel.
• Aviation curriculum development experience.
• Naval Aviation or USAF Safety Officer School graduate.
• NATOPS model manager or experience.
• Instructor pilot experience.
• Carrier suitability, structural loads, engine/propeller test experience, and Aerial Refueling test experience desired.

Primary Level Salary Range: $185,000.00 - $277,400.00

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.

Job Category: Flight Operations