Environmental Lab Lead

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

7d • $142,200 - $213,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking an Environmental Laboratory Lead to support the Common Products Test Engineering organization in Rancho Bernardo, California. The selected candidate must live within commuting distance of the site. Relocation assistance may be available.

The Environmental Laboratory Lead oversees the planning, direction, and day-to-day operation of the environmental testing laboratory. The role is accountable for regulatory compliance, data integrity, safe work practices, and timely analytical support for site environmental monitoring, production, and engineering needs. The lead directs environmental testing of flight hardware, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, random vibration, and shock testing, and coordinates test campaigns across programs.

The position develops and maintains test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria; collaborates with design and systems engineering teams on requirements; oversees equipment and facility calibration, maintenance, and qualification; and works with quality assurance to ensure test data is traceable, documented, and compliant. The role also supports failure analysis and root-cause investigations, coordinates with suppliers and external test laboratories as needed, and drives improvements in throughput, facility utilization, and data quality while meeting production and qualification schedules.

The role requires strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. A U.S. Government Secret clearance or Special Program Access must be obtainable and maintainable within a reasonable time as determined by business needs. Travel is not required. The position is not cleared at start.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience, or a master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related experience, or a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related experience.
• At least 7 years of experience in environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, and shock.
• At least 1 year of experience managing, mentoring, and developing a team.
• Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and verifying test stations.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge to analyze, investigate, and resolve production-line faults during acceptance testing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance and/or Special Program Access within a reasonable time as determined by business needs.
• Strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be within commuting distance of the Rancho Bernardo, California site.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of MIL-STD-810 and/or RTCA DO-160 equipment-level environmental test methods and MIL-HDBK-516 airworthiness/system-level criteria.
• Hands-on experience operating TVAC chambers, shaker tables, and shock test equipment.
• Experience with test automation and data acquisition systems.
• Familiarity with structural and thermal analysis as it relates to test correlation.
• Strong root-cause problem-solving skills.
• Experience supporting cleanroom integration and test operations.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Environmental Testing team performing thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, random vibration, and shock testing of flight hardware.
• Own and coordinate environmental test campaign schedules across programs, aligning chamber and facility capacity with production and qualification milestones.
• Develop, review, and maintain test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria that meet program requirements and applicable industry standards.
• Collaborate with design and systems engineering teams to define and refine environmental test requirements at component, subsystem, and vehicle levels.
• Oversee calibration, maintenance, and qualification of environmental test equipment, chambers, and related facilities.
• Work with quality assurance to ensure test data is traceable, accurately documented, and compliant with program and regulatory expectations.
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for anomalies identified during environmental testing, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with suppliers and external test laboratories when demand or capability exceeds in-house resources.
• Drive continuous improvement in test throughput, facility utilization, and data quality.
• Meet production and qualification schedules while adapting to evolving program priorities and constraints.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Relocation assistance may be available
• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior