Principal / Senior Systems Test Engineer – Test Conductor Flight Test

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal / Senior. Principal Test Conductor to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This role is located in Palmdale, CA. Edwards AFB or, Mojave, CA and may flex between locations.

This position will be supporting one or more aircraft platforms within our Strike portfolio, including the B-21 Raider, the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft. When it comes to delivering America’s resolve, the Raider provides the Air Force with long range, high survivability, and mission payload flexibility. The B-21 Raider will be capable of penetrating the toughest defenses to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world. The B-21 is the future of deterrence. Find out more here.

We have multiple needs for various Test Conductors, and applying to this requisition constitutes consideration across multiple teams within Test.  The position requires working knowledge of the full development life-cycle processes that acknowledge technical and schedule constraints.  This requisition may work ANY Shift (4x10 (M-TH, Tu-Fr), 3x10 (Fri-Sun), or 9/80, 1st shift or 2nd shift) and this shift assignment may change based on business needs.

In this role, Test Conductors work with engineering, operations, and test disciplines in a combined team environment and are tasked to ensure engineering tests serve mission objectives and mechanisms are in place to execute the tests.  They lead the development and review of test plans, test schedules, test cards, and test procedures.  In short, they are responsible for testing all customer samples and oversees the operational aspects of engineering tests and serves as liaison to program, engineering, and line management.  These roles require a highly motivated and self-starting individual with relevant test operations experience.  Ideal candidates will be willing to support additional Program requirements beyond the defined requirements of this position, if required. 

Because of the level of the role, any interested candidate must have experience with test card development/review, as well as the ability to brief test results/issues to executive leadership. Work will be primarily performed in Palmdale, Edwards AFB, or Mojave, CA, but any interested candidate must be willing to be flexible to changes in locations based on Test needs. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Creating test article mission plans and routing for various developmental efforts
• Providing pre/post mission support planning and documentation, supporting appropriate decisions regarding safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Reviewing and evaluating test requirements to ensure completeness/feasibility and adequacy of test program.
• Interfacing with test article/software design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements. 
• Supporting test card development and review in collaboration with various engineering disciplines and test operations personnel.
• Supporting test readiness reviews, and pre/post-test briefings.
• Supporting test planning working groups as needed. 
• Conducting and contributing to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution.  Maintains metrics on status of testing and constraints.
• Serving as either a principal subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, and the test team. 
• May provide laboratory support for integration testing. *(Labs)

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.

“This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.”

Basic Qualifications

This position may be filled at the Principal OR Sr. Principal level.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Test Conductor

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline AND 5 years of related professional / military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 3 years of related professional / military experience OR a STEM PhD AND 0 years of related professional / military experience

Basic Qualification for Sr Principal Test Conductor

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline AND 9 years of related professional / military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 7 years of related professional / military experience OR a STEM PhD AND 4 years of related professional / military experience

Basic Qualification for both Principal and Sr Principal Test conductor

• Must have a background that includes:  test card development and review, a background in Navigator/Mission Planner/support to flying operations, flight test, and/or flight training, AND/OR providing pre/post mission support planning and documentation
• Must have in-depth knowledge of aircraft subsystem design, test data requirements, and test methodologies used in the aerospace industry, to include control room monitoring.
• Must have proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant industry mission planning software such as Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS).
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance prior to the commencement of employment
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs
• 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 be able to support ANY Shift (4x10 (M-TH, Tu-Fr), 3x10 (Fri-Sun), or 9/80, 1st shift or 2nd shift) and this shift assignment may change based on business needs.
• Requires the ability and willingness to work non-standard hours and multiple shifts on a part-time basis.  Overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work may occasionally be required.
• For certain teams, must be able to work from extended work platforms at elevated heights and for an extended period.

Preferred Qualifications:

• UAS Lab specific System Test experience
• MES experience, and management / disposition of customer materials for test
• Mission Control Room experience. (Special for Control Room)
• Previous professional experience in lab integration and test activities (Special for Labs)
• Previous professional experience with mission planning, execution, and debriefing. (Special for Planners)
• Active Top Secret DoD Security Clearance

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.