Principal/Sr Principal Engineer Systems Test- Active Secret Clearance Required

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

1d • $103,600 - $193,900 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is hiring a Principal or Sr. Principal System Test Engineer for its Test and Evaluation Organization in Rancho Bernardo, California. The role focuses on first-time quality, engineering rigor, and the Test Like You Fly methodology. The engineer plans, coordinates, and executes system-level testing, including integrated hardware/software verification in laboratory and operational environments, to evaluate and certify systems for ground and flight release. The role involves close coordination with test engineering teammates, Test IPT and lab operations leadership, and Test Planning & Execution teams. The position may be filled at the Principal or Sr. Principal level, depending on qualifications. Travel is 10% of the time, and relocation assistance may be available. An active DoD Secret clearance or higher is required at start.

The position offers flexible work arrangements and a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. Work may require weekends, multiple shifts, and off-hours onsite to meet test schedules. The role provides learning opportunities, exposure to a variety of projects and customers, and a collaborative team environment.

Requirements

• For the Principal level: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering, professional, or military experience; or a STEM master’s degree and 3 years of related experience; or a STEM Ph.D. and 1 year of related experience.
• For the Sr. Principal level: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 9 years of related engineering, professional, or military experience; or a STEM master’s degree and 7 years of related experience; or a STEM Ph.D. and 4 years of related experience.
• Experience in system test, software development, and/or systems engineering.
• Experience developing and executing system-level test procedures and maintaining requirement-to-test traceability.
• Experience with Windows and Linux operating systems and virtual machines.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or current enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Flexibility to support weekends, multiple shifts, and off-hours onsite as required.
• Ability to communicate with leadership and teammates and work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Nice To Haves

• System-level lab test execution experience, including test planning and event coordination; experience supporting lab operations or hot bench.
• Understanding of Agile testing methodology and experience with continuous integration and/or automated test frameworks.
• Scripting experience, preferably Python; Java or C++ experience is a plus.
• Experience with IBM Rational tools (DOORS/ClearQuest) and/or Atlassian tools (JIRA/Git/Confluence).
• Experience developing verification and validation strategies and maintaining verification metrics.
• Experience with test equipment implementation, lab design, and infrastructure readiness.
• Experience with communications and networking subsystems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate across teams and up through leadership.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute dry-run and formal system-level test activities to evaluate and certify hardware and software for ground and flight release.
• Develop, execute, and document integrated software and hardware test procedures to verify compliance with system requirements and support verification and validation of architecture and protocol upgrades.
• Design nominal, off-nominal, and end-to-end test scenarios to assess performance, reliability, interoperability, and operational effectiveness, including navigation, communications, and networking subsystems.
• Analyze system requirements and translate them into test strategies, detailed test plans and procedures, acceptance criteria, and requirement-to-test traceability.
• Support integration, functional, and regression testing in laboratory and operational test environments; coordinate data collection, analysis, reporting, and closure of verification metrics.
• Maintain technical and process rigor in lab configuration and ensure compliance with company, program, and security requirements; support lab operations and hot-bench activities as required.
• Apply Agile testing practices, including continuous integration and test-driven development concepts as appropriate, to support iterative development and rapid feedback.
• Collaborate with systems, software, hardware, cybersecurity, network, and communications teams to integrate and verify subsystem changes.
• Communicate test status, findings, risks, and recommendations to engineering leadership and program stakeholders; present at pre-test and post-test reviews.
• Work independently on assigned tasks, manage multiple priorities, and deliver to program schedules in a fast-paced environment.
• Support weekends, multiple shifts, and off-hours onsite as test schedules require.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements and a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.
• Learning opportunities and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan and 401(k) matching.
• Company-paid holidays and paid time off for vacation and/or personal business.
• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.
• Relocation assistance may be available.

What This Job Offers

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