Systems Engineer Level 5 - Flight Test IPT lead

0902 SP - Launch Vehicles; United States; On-site; USD 153,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is hiring a Systems Engineer Level 5 - Flight Test IPT Lead in Chandler, AZ. You will direct multi-disciplinary teams to design, integrate, and test hypersonic kill-vehicle systems, balancing cost, schedule, and quality across Flight Test events.

The role requires strong avionics design expertise, a DoD systems engineering background, and proven program management abilities to guide complex test campaigns and field deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience, or advanced degree with corresponding experience.
• Active US Government Secret Security Clearance is required.
• Experience leading technical teams and IPT leadership in a DoD program.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Flight Test IPT team, guiding cost, schedule, and resource execution.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, software, and hardware teams.
• Coordinate test objectives, derive requirements, and oversee hardware/software integration.
• Communicate risks, decisions, and program status to stakeholders.

Skills

IPT Lead experience

Systems engineering

Program management

DoD systems engineering requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

EVMS (Earned Value Management)

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 - Launch Vehicles Division is hiring a Systems Engineer Level 5 - Flight Test IPT lead, located in Chandler, Arizona.

This high-visibility position requires a technical and leadership expert capable of guiding multi-disciplinary engineering teams to design, integrate, and deliver cutting-edge kill vehicle systems for hypersonic environments. The ideal candidate will have strong avionics design expertise, a deep understanding of hypersonic system challenges, and proven program management abilities to balance cost, schedule, and quality in executing Flight Test events.

Position Overview

Serve as Leader of the technical, cost, schedule, and resource execution for all of the Flight Test activities. You will collaborate with all stakeholders to identify the test objectives, derive mission specific requirements, lead the team to design, build, test and integrate mission specific hardware and software. You will lead the development of mission specific integration and test procedures, execute the Integration and test of the mission vehicle, deploy to the launch site to coordinate the field campaign support the launch activities and post flight analysis.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Lead a High-Performing Team: Coordinate a cross-functional engineering team in a high-visibility and fast-paced program environment.
• Collaborate with diverse groups including Engineering & Program Management, Software and Hardware Engineers, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Mission Assurance teams.
• Be a Key Liaison: Work closely with U.S. and Japanese partners, fostering teamwork and collaboration in both domestic and international settings to meet technical and programmatic goals specifically related to the GPI Flight Test Program.
• Deliver End-to-End Solutions: Drive the test and support equipment design effort across multiple engineering disciplines, ensuring the development and integration of several delivered components and subsystems.
• Solve Complex Challenges: Apply your organizational and technical problem-solving skills to ensure successful execution of system designs while addressing development risks and emerging challenges in real-time.
• Communicate at all Levels: Provide technical leadership and support for internal and external executive briefings, including program updates, engineering reviews, and risk management discussions.
• Maintain High Standards: Thrive in a high-expectation environment, demonstrating initiative, meticulous attention to detail, and polished verbal and written communication skills.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management Serve as the technical and leadership authority for the Flight Test IPT team, delivering on challenging performance, schedule, and cost objectives. Engage, inspire, and guide cross-functional teams to achieve program milestones, ensuring clear communication and strong alignment across all stakeholders. Proactively manage team assignments, workloads, mentorship, and collaboration across internal teams and external partnerships.

System-Level Design Optimization Apply systems engineering principles to balance multi-discipline trade-offs between mechanical, electrical, software, propulsion, electro-optical, and manufacturing teams. Optimize flight test execution by managing diverse requirements, mitigating risks, and resolving system integration challenges. Conduct structured trade studies to inform design decisions with practical and achievable solutions that enhance overall reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Subsystem Integration and Testing Collaborate with the Performance Pillar PMO, Interceptor Pillar PMO and Assembly, Test and Launch Operations (ATLO) Pillar PMO to Assemble, Test and Launch GPI Flight Test configurations which include radio, controller, optical seeker and sensor systems, balancing critical thermal, electrical, and mechanical interfaces. Manage technical planning, design, and execution of rigorous subsystem and system-level test campaigns under flight‑representative conditions to validate system performance.

Stakeholder Management and Communication Serve as the primary technical interface for internal and external stakeholders, preparing and delivering clear communication on risks, trade-offs, decisions, and successes. Partner with internal program management and external vendors to align technical requirements and delivery schedules with program milestones. Foster collaborative, trust‑based relationships with U.S. and international partners to maintain alignment and ensure mission success.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience, master's degree with 10 years of experience or Ph.D. with 8 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Must have an active US Government Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (SAP).
• Experience leading technical teams.
• Understanding of DoD systems engineering requirements.
• Experience as Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, Technical lead, or other leadership role in a program office or business function with demonstrated team building, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with the technical development and direction for many aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
• Experience with developing and executing project schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or other related technical fields.
• Active US Government Top Secret Security Clearance or higher, SAP access(es), and/or SCI access.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• An interest in and an aptitude for customer engagements at technical and programmatic levels.
• Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) managing Earned Value Management System (EVMS) projects.
• Domain expertise in defense sensor systems.
• Experience with the technical development and direction for all aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
• Experience coordinating with external subcontractors, primes, and/or suppliers.

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards Primary Level Salary Range: $152,900.00 - $229,300.00 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.

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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.