Top Secret Airborne Systems Test Lead

Northrop Grumman; Maryland; On-site; USD 142,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Airborne Systems Operator to join our Test and Evaluation team in Patuxent River, MD. The role focuses on conducting mission system and air vehicle ground and flight tests as part of a professional crew, coordinating with engineers and test directors to ensure successful verification and data analysis.

The candidate will write technical reports, lead briefings, and participate in design reviews; travel to detachments is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM field with 8+ years of related experience, or MS with 6+ years, or STEM PhD with 4+ years.
• Active US Government Top Secret clearance required (background check within 6 years or Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance and FAA/Military flying clearance as required.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mission system and air vehicle ground and flight tests as aircrew or non-aircrew.
• Define plans and execute complex flight profiles and test events.
• Write technical reports for ground and flight test events and coordinate with engineers and test directors.
• Lead test conduct as Test Conductor and mentor aircrew and flight test engineers.
• Prepare test plans, procedures, and NATOPS updates; brief and debrief test crews.

Skills

Leadership

Test coordination

Technical documentation

MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint

Travel readiness

Education

BS in STEM

MS in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Programming languages

Job description

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Airborne Systems Operator to join our Test and Evaluation team in Patuxent River, MD. The role focuses on conducting mission system and air vehicle ground and flight tests as part of a professional crew, coordinating with engineers and test directors to ensure successful verification and data analysis.

The candidate will write technical reports, lead briefings, and participate in design reviews; travel to detachments is expected.