Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer -Test and Evaluation Lead
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer to serve as a Test and Evaluation Lead within its Test and Evaluation Engineering organization, supporting the Research and Advanced Design Expendables Operating Unit. The role is located in Redondo Beach or El Segundo, California. The Test Lead coordinates, manages, leads, and/or executes test activities across the program lifecycle to meet customer deliverable milestones, while maintaining the integrity, traceability, and control of program data, deliverables, and documentation in accordance with contractual and organizational standards. The role covers testing from validation and proof of concept through component, subassembly, and full-vehicle testing, including wind-tunnel, dynamics, subcomponent validation, electrical, ground, flight, and store-separation testing. The position coordinates with government test ranges, test facilities, personnel, engineering points of contact, and hardware procurement, and ensures that test activities are completed within schedule and budget. The role reports test status and results to the SEIT Lead or customer and supports requirement verification and validation. The position requires an active Secret U.S. Government clearance, the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance, and the ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance within a reasonable time as determined by business needs. Travel of up to 25% to multiple locations for ground and flight tests is required. The company offers a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, flexible work arrangements, learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering, technical management, and/or related military experience; or Master of Science degree in STEM and 6 years of related experience; or Ph.D. in STEM and 4 years of related experience.
- Demonstrated experience in test and evaluation within defense, aeronautics, or complex engineering environments.
- Experience testing at government or private facilities for ground, laboratory, wind-tunnel, and/or flight testing.
- Experience in requirement decomposition to lead design procedures and execute tests, including ground, laboratory, wind-tunnel, and/or flight testing.
- Experience coordinating with test facilities to meet cost, schedule, and test requirements.
- Active Secret U.S. Government clearance, with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret U.S. clearance.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Ability to travel up to 25% to multiple locations for ground and flight tests.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills for communicating with all levels of the program, subcontractors, and customers.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with expendables or one-time-use missiles.
- Experience developing flight test cards and procedures.
- Experience leading customer deliverables.
- Experience with cradle-to-grave test and evaluation processes, from conceptual design through production.
- Working knowledge of aeronautical disciplines, including Flight Sciences, Subsystems, Software, Structures, Vehicles, Test and Evaluation, Survivability, Mission Systems, Manufacturing and Production, Product Support, and Global Supply Chain.
- Demonstrated understanding of program risk, opportunity, and issue management processes.
- Experience with Jira, Confluence, MBSE, Cameo, CPLM, and/or other collaboration tools.
- Experience with U.S. defense CDRL/SDRL processes and compliance requirements.
- Experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) or with Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Experience with the DoD acquisition lifecycle, classified program execution, and support for technical proposals, SOWs, and BOEs.
- Experience briefing results to senior leadership and government customers.
Responsibilities
- Develop test plans, test procedures, and test reports for flight and ground testing, and coordinate approvals with government test ranges.
- Execute testing from validation or proof of concept through components, subassemblies, and full vehicles.
- Coordinate and manage testing across EMD program areas, including wind tunnel, dynamics, subcomponent validation, electrical, and flight testing.
- Coordinate and manage Test and Evaluation activities from ground through flight testing and store separation.
- Coordinate and manage ground facilities and resources needed for ground and flight testing.
- Report test status and results to the SEIT Lead or customer.
- Ensure the test schedule supports timelines for requirement verification and validation by the SEIT Lead.
- Coordinate the availability of test personnel and engineering points of contact.
- Coordinate procurement of test hardware.
- Complete and execute test activities on schedule and within budget.
- Maintain the integrity, traceability, and control of program data, deliverables, and documentation in accordance with contractual and organizational standards.
Benefits
- Exceptional benefits and healthcare, including health insurance coverage.
- 401(k) matching program.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Company-paid holidays.
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
- Flexible work arrangements and a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.
- Learning opportunities and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers.
- Relocation assistance may be available.
- Depending on the position, eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus; annual bonuses reward individual contributions and share company results.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
