Test Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Elkton (MD); On-site; USD 88,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Company holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Test Engineer for the Energetics Manufacturing team in Elkton, Maryland. The role focuses on test planning, instrumentation integration, and data analysis to support solid-propellant propulsion programs for government and commercial customers.

Responsibilities include coordinating safety protocols, training technicians, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure rigorous, compliant testing. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in STEM or equivalent with 2+ years related experience; Masters degree with 0+ years accepted.
• Proven ability to follow detailed instructions and procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication to clearly convey plans for operators.
• Detail-oriented with ability to see the big picture.
• Working knowledge of test instrumentation and data systems.
• Must qualify for DoD security clearance (US citizenship required) and ATF Explosives Possessor designation.

Responsibilities

• Review requirements and develop safety protocols for tests.
• Select and integrate test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Develop ordnance initiation processes and train test technicians.
• Support other test engineers and troubleshoot test anomalies.
• Collaborate with Safety and Hazards Analysis teams for energetic tests.
• Present technical data to customers, suppliers and vendors; manage complex test projects.

Skills

Test instrumentation

Data acquisition systems

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

DoD security clearance eligible

ATF explosives designation eligible

CAD sketching

C# and Python

Relational databases

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

Tools

Dewesoft DAQ

CAD tools

Relational databases

C# and Python

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 is in need of a Test Engineer to work with the Energetics Manufacturing team at its Elkton, Maryland facility.

Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers. The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Elkton, Maryland is located on the Upper Chesapeake Bay, midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Discover charming small towns, parks with miles of trails, specialty and antique shops, award winning restaurants, and inns. You can hike, bike, camp, bird watch, ride horseback, or drop a fishing line. Five rivers, Chesapeake Bay and the C&D Canal can be explored by boat or by land. Experience panoramic views from Turkey Point Lighthouse on a bluff overlooking the Bay, or from the banks of the C&D Canal where ships from around the globe cruise. https://www.ccgov.org/government/tourism

Test Engineer Responsibilities

• The test preparation process includes review of requirements, development and coordination of safety protocols, design and integration of support equipment, and documenting the test process.
• The test engineer is responsible for: selection and integration of test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, development of ordnance initiation process, training test technicians, training and supporting other test engineers, troubleshooting test anomalies, and review of test data.
• Test engineers work closely with the Safety and Hazards Analysis departments and support cross functional teams in designing and setting up energetic test processes.
• Test engineers must have demonstrated ability to manage complex test projects and be non-compromising with regards to safety even when working under pressure.
• Test engineers must be comfortable presenting technical data to internal/external customers, suppliers, and vendors.
• Test engineers spend time in test facilities (including at offsite customers) developing solutions to a variety of complex testing challenges.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in STEM plus at least 2 years of related experience. Will consider those with a masters degree in STEM and 0 or more years of experience.
• Must be disciplined to follow detailed instructions and comply with procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to create clear and understandable planning for operators.
• Detail oriented but able to understand the big picture.
• Have a working knowledge of test instrumentation and data systems.
• Must be able to qualify for a Department of Defense security clearance, which US citizenship is a pre-requisite.
• Must be able to qualify for an Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm (ATF) “Explosives Possessor” designation.

Preferred Qualified:

• Ability to create/modify simple sketches in CAD or related software for planning sketches.
• Working Knowledge of Dewesoft DAQ software and hardware
• Ability to create Graphical User Interfaces (front end dev)
• Experience structuring data and writing queries in relational databases (back end development)
• Experience with Object oriented programming languages – C# and Python preferred
• Experience running queries in a relational database using an Object-Oriented Programming Language
• Strong documentation skills
• Active security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range:

$87,600.00 - $131,400.00

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.