Sr. Staff Systems Integration & Test Engineer Lead – APG 81 / Airborne Radar

Northrop Grumman • Baltimore, MD

2d • $184,100 - $276,100 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems’ Baltimore and Partnered Sites division is seeking a Sr. Staff Systems Integration & Test Engineer Lead to support the Airborne Multifunction Sensors Business Unit. The role leads complex airborne radar system hardware integration and testing, with emphasis on APG-81 radar sensor hardware, associated laboratories and test benches, and flight test campaigns. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in radar system hardware integration and test, leading multidisciplinary teams, executing laboratory and flight test programs, and troubleshooting hardware in laboratory and field environments. The position requires strong knowledge of production and system hardware follow, mode integration, and system acceptance testing.

The engineer works with engineering, program management, technical, production, and support staff, communicating accomplishments, status, and challenges to internal and external stakeholders. The position is based onsite in Baltimore, Maryland; remote and hybrid work are not supported. Travel is approximately 10% and may include supplier and customer test sites. An active Secret clearance is required, and the candidate must be able to obtain and maintain SAP access.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 14 years of relevant experience, a master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of relevant experience, or a PhD in a STEM discipline with 10 years of experience; an additional four years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Significant system integration and test experience on complex airborne radar systems, including hardware system testing, laboratory integration, and test procedure development.
• Expertise with radar system hardware, including antennas, transmit/receive modules, radar LRUs, and associated test equipment and range assets.
• Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams across software, antenna, receiver/exciter, EW, systems engineering, manufacturing, and test disciplines.
• Hands-on experience with EMD programs, including mode integration, system acceptance testing, and hardware sell-off.
• Experience identifying root causes, developing test or troubleshooting approaches, and implementing corrective actions for complex radar hardware issues.
• Experience tracking milestones and executing tasks to approved program schedules, coordinating integration and testing across stakeholders and sites.
• Experience generating test procedures, test reports, and technical presentations, and using MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and MATLAB or similar tools.
• Understanding of test engineering methods, automated test environments, lab and flight test data analysis, and test configuration control.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, including experience interfacing with customers, suppliers, and internal leadership.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance and ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP) within a reasonable time; the position is contingent on successful transfer of the Secret clearance and obtaining SAP before starting.
• Knowledge of radar systems, including airborne fire-control radar architectures such as APG-81 or similar, and related mission systems.
• Understanding of systems engineering, including requirements analysis, decomposition into test requirements, and verification planning and execution.
• Ability to work onsite in Baltimore, Maryland.

Nice To Haves

• Deep hands-on experience with APG-81 or similar advanced tactical fighter radar systems, including hardware testing, SIL operations, range operations, and flight test support.
• Extensive experience with APG-81 System Integration Labs and System Test Benches, including bench architecture, test equipment configuration, and range integration.
• Flight test operations experience for radar systems, including system installation, on-aircraft operations, serving as flight test director, and supporting multiple deployments.
• Experience developing and using automated test environments and scripts, such as MATLAB-based test and control software, for radar hardware and system verification and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of EMD and production system hardware follow and integration, including coordination with production lines and external manufacturing partners.
• Leadership in troubleshooting complex radar hardware issues, including TRM anomalies, antenna interface issues, and systemic LRU or board-level problems across suppliers and internal IPTs.
• At least two years of experience supporting development, integration, testing, or production of sensor systems within a major airborne platform program, such as Joint Strike Fighter/F-35.
• Experience leading or coordinating dispersed teams across multiple sites, supplier locations, or customer test ranges.
• Experience with EMI/EMC and environmental qualification testing of radar or mission system hardware.
• Experience as a technical liaison with prime contractors and end-user customers, including technical fact-finding meetings and initiatives to reduce ReTest-OK rates or other systemic failure modes.
• Prior military radar maintenance or operations experience, such as U.S. Air Force ground radar maintenance, and a strong radar hardware background.
• Experience developing and delivering technical training and mentoring on radar hardware and system integration, and contributing to internal knowledge-sharing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level hardware integration and testing for advanced airborne radar systems, particularly APG-81 and similar tactical fighter radar architectures, from integration through sell-off and delivery.
• Perform production follow of radar systems and LRUs through their life cycle, including System Acceptance Testing and resolution of hardware issues.
• Own and manage system integration laboratories, system test benches, range equipment, and support equipment.
• Manage lab asset configuration and readiness in coordination with software, hardware, test, and operations teams.
• Lead or support radar mode integration shifts, provide on-console technical leadership, troubleshoot system anomalies, and coordinate with software, antenna, receiver/exciter, and EW stakeholders.
• Serve as technical lead and liaison to flight test organizations; plan and execute radar flight testing, act as flight test director when required, and provide onsite deployment support.
• Manage Configuration and Data Management processes for Systems I&T products, including test procedures, scripts, reports, and lab configuration records.
• Develop and execute verification plans and reports, translating system and program requirements into test requirements and maintaining traceability.
• Lead development and peer review of test plans, procedures, quick-look tools, and automated test scripts, including MATLAB-based environments.
• Develop and support specialty, laboratory, ground, and flight test programs, define facility requirements, and coordinate with internal and external test ranges.
• Liaise with union technicians and supported programs, providing technical direction, priorities, and mentorship to technicians and junior engineers.
• Work with suppliers and customers, including travel to test sites for lab issues, range operations, and field troubleshooting.
• Support program risk databases by identifying, characterizing, and planning mitigation for technical, schedule, and integration risks.
• Lead or support root cause and corrective action efforts for complex radar hardware and system issues.
• Mentor and share knowledge on radar hardware and SI&T processes, including developing and delivering internal courses and contributing to knowledge bases and wikis.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.
• Vice President or Director employees may be eligible for long-term incentives.

What This Job Offers

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