Principal System Test Engineer
About The Position
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. We are seeking an experienced Principal Test Engineer to join our dynamic team of technical professionals. The qualified applicant will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems support team in San Antonio, TX. Please Note: Due to the classified nature of the work being performed, this position does not offer any virtual or telecommute working options.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM from an accredited institution and 5 years of related professional/military experience in engineering; or a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related experience.
- US Citizenship is required
- An active US Government Top Secret security clearance and SCI eligibility
- Ability to design and execute end-to-end test scenarios covering performance, failover, segmentation, policy enforcement, logging, and incident response
- Knowledge of RFM implementation, security controls, and producing Security Assessment Reports (SAR) and POA&M inputs
Nice To Haves
- Hands-on experience with Linux, Windows, VMware, OSI Model, Network traffic collection and analysis, enterprise network architecture, communication equipment and technologies, routers, mail and web servers, Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems, firewalls, anti-virus tools, and network traffic generation.
- Extensive experience with safety-critical real-time testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, and high-reliability network protocols.
- Hands‑on experience with at least one major routing/switching vendor (Cisco, Juniper, Arista, etc.) and one security vendor (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Check Point, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience implementing testing procedures and troubleshooting routed and switched IP networks (e.g., IPv4, OSPF, VLANs, VPNs, firewalls) in mission‑critical or real‑time environments, including testing of Microsoft and Linux networked systems and verifying foundational cybersecurity practices (e.g., hardening, secure configuration, access control).
- Extensive experience with Software Test automation, programming or scripting skill set, configuration management validation, Infrastructure‑as‑Code for network automation (e.g., Ansible, Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar tools), and drift detection.
- Experience leading end‑to‑end network testing and validation, including performance, resiliency, and failover testing in complex, distributed environments including voice and real‑time services over IP (e.g., VoIP, SIP trunking, QoS, etc.) in converged voice/data networks.
- Familiarity with FIPS 140‑2/3 concepts and cryptographic validation approaches.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to work with cross‑functional cyber, systems, and test teams to capture requirements, document designs, and brief options and trade‑offs to stakeholders.
- DoD 8570 IAT Level III certification (e.g., CISSP) or equivalent.
Responsibilities
- Help architect and build a launch execution network, building and sustaining high‑availability launch and missile test networks that span classified and unclassified enclaves.
- Perform functional testing at the system, interoperability, and integration levels across various systems and networks under the direction of a Senior Test Engineer.
- Design and execute end-to-end test scenarios covering performance, failover, segmentation, policy enforcement, logging, and incident response.
- Prepare Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E) plans, test cases, and reports in accordance with established test methodologies and procedures.
- Participate in all phases of software and hardware development, including requirements development, risk assessments, and acceptance criteria development.
- Coordinate with customers, test engineers, and range engineers to ensure the test infrastructure meets test objectives and data collection requirements.
- Compile and analyze test results to determine conformity of the product or capability with the requirements.
- Document change requests and deficiencies for the product or capability based on test data analysis.
- Communicate and collaborate actively throughout the development of a testable capability or product.
- Serve as a technology subject matter expert and provide advice to customers.
- Actively participate in Agile team planning and test execution.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance may be available
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- overtime
- shift differential
- a discretionary bonus
- Annual bonuses
- Long Term Incentives (for VP or Director positions)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
