Principal Structural Test Engineer/Senior Principal Structural Test Engineer

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.

The Full Scale Test Team has an opening for qualified Structural Test Engineers with Design and Test Execution Experience. The selected candidate must poses the skills and experience that will enable them to execute in the capacity of a Senior Principal Test Engineer as well as a Mechanical Design Engineer. Candidate must also have proven experience in a leadership role, leading / mentoring less experienced Engineers thru complete product test/design life cycle. The Full Scale Test Team is part of the Systems Integration, Test and Evaluation Organization (SIT&E) within Northrop Grumman, Aerospace Systems. 

Selected candidates are expected to perform the following:

• Interpret test requirements and conceptualize test design and take it thru the design test life cycle as a single contributor and or as a Lead of an engineering Team
• Interpret Test Requirements and Author and publish Test Procedures.
• Be part of a Test Execution Team performing Structural Test(s) of component level to Full scale test articles.
• Mentor and Lead less experienced Engineers thru all phases of Static, Fatigue / Structural Test lifecycle.
• Facilitate collaboration across disciplines during technical interchanges.
• Interpret post-test data evaluation and problem identification and resolution.
• Interpret Test Data, determine and suggest changes in test configuration, equipment, procedures or manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with other IPTs to develop test and test data requirements.
• Participate in post-test data evaluation and problem identification and resolution.
• Have a strong background in mechanical design, tooling development, reaction frame and Load introduction fixture design experience.
• Lead and manage multiple projects through design and test lifecycle.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Review designs for Technical compliance and requirements.
• Lead and provide mentorship to less experienced Engineers through design lifecycle and gate reviews such as PDR, CDR and TRR.
• Coordinate design criteria with Internal Customers, Vendors, Test Engineering, EHS and Facilities Personnel.
• Evaluate design factors such as ease manufacturing, use of COTS parts, cost, safety, maintenance and end user.
• Have a keen eye to Identify design errors, omissions, and other deficiencies, and recommend revisions and/or improvements with First time quality in mind
• Analyze damage tolerance, durability, design allowables and structural modeling
• Have an understanding of Servo Hydraulic Closed loop control system, Hydraulic Cylinder sizing for test Applications, Understanding on Servo Valves, Hydraulic Fittings and new Hydraulic technologies used in Test Lab environment.

This position requires strong leadership, written and oral communications skills as well as a team centric approach to problem solving. Candidate must be able to work with little to no direction and be capable and willing to lead and oversee the work of less experienced engineers.  Must work well in a large team environment as well as an individual contributor. Candidate must be self-motivated, detail oriented and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.

Selected Candidate must be able to work multiple shifts: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.  3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Principal Structural Test Engineer (T03): STEM Degree, 5 yrs. with BS; 3 yrs. with Masters; 0 yrs. with PhD
• Sr. Principal Structural Test Engineer (T04): STEM Degree, 9 yrs. with BS; 7 yrs. with Masters; 5 yrs. with PhD
• DoD Secret clearance within 5 yr. scope
• Ability to obtain Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Ability and willingness to work non-standard shifts/overtime
• Experience in a CAD system
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Able to work multiple shifts depending on program needs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Structural Test experience, and/or experience with multiple disciplines
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Current Program Access
• Extensive NX10, CPLM and GD&T experience with drawing skills
• Hydraulics Experience in a test lab environment
• Understand Closed Loop Load Control Systems and familiarity with strain gage design, and test instrumentation
• Experience with Reaction Frame and load introduction fixture design

Salary Range: $92,200 USD - $138,400 USD

Salary Range 2: $114,900 USD - $171,500 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 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.