Senior Principal System 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.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Senior Principal System Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our South Bay Aircraft Design Center organization. This role is located in Redondo Beach, California.

As a System Test Engineer, you will be responsible for defining and executing ground and flight tests campaigns for air launched and air-breathing weapons.  

Essential Functions:

• Plan and execute system level I-III, ground, and flight test programs for air-launched/air-breathing weapons.
• Develop Verification Cross Reference Matrices (VCRM).
• Writing test plans, procedures, and reports.
• Responsible for Platform/Store electrical and physical integration and testing.
• Perform trade studies, and support design, analysis and operation of miniaturized airborne instrumentation and telemetry systems.
• Lead and support Flight Termination System (FTS) design and analysis. Understand, derive, and maintain requirements from Range Commanders Council (RCC) documentation and RCC-319 tailoring process.
• Lead flight certification (Airworthiness) process(es) for airborne stores (Seek Eagle, DARPA, FAA) on DoD and commercial aircraft.
• Lead/support system safety, mishap risk identification and mitigation processes.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 9 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in STEM with 7 years of related engineering experience, or a PhD in STEM with 4 years of related engineering experience.
• Must have an active DoD Secret or higher clearance.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline, or Aeronautical Engineering.
• Current Special Access Program (SAP).
• Experience with Company and DoD explosives/munitions handling, transportation, and storage logistics.
• Knowledge of Stores Management Systems (SMS)/ Suspension and Release Equipment (S&RE), Universal Armament Interface (UAI), MIL-STD-1760, MIL-STD-8591, MIL-HDBK-1763, etc.
• Familiarity with IADS software and IRIG-106 standards.
• Experience with Airworthiness processes: MIL-HDBK-516C (section 17) and AFI63-104.
• Experience with MIL-STD-882E and Non-Nuclear Munitions Safety Board (NNMSB).
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

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.

Salary Range: $114,300 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.