Staff Test Engineer (Weapon Systems)
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking an experienced Staff Flight Test Engineer – Weapons Lead to support advanced weapon-system test efforts. This senior technical lead role covers weapons flight test planning, execution, integration, and data analysis, and serves as a primary liaison among design engineering, maintenance, test operations, program leadership, and customer representatives. The position provides technical leadership in a Combined Test Force environment at Edwards AFB, California, and across multiple Integrated Product Teams. The role leads developmental and operationally relevant test activities for aircraft weapon systems, requiring expertise in functional weapon-system design integration, Stores Management Systems (SMS), Suspension & Release Equipment (S&RE), and relevant interface standards such as MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, and the Universal Armament Interface (UAI). The successful candidate applies broad systems-level understanding of aircraft subsystems and their interaction with mission execution, pilot-vehicle interface, maintenance operations, and test support infrastructure. The role operates with a high degree of independence and serves as a senior advisor and spokesperson on weapons test matters, influencing technical direction, test strategy, and risk posture.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and at least 12 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and at least 10 years of relevant experience.
- Active U.S. Government DoD Secret clearance, with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Significant experience in flight test, weapon-system integration, mission systems, or military aircraft developmental test.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical efforts with minimal oversight and coordinate effectively across diverse functional teams.
- Willingness to work overtime, odd-hour shifts, and occasional weekends in support of flight test schedules.
Nice To Haves
- Current active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance.
- Extensive direct experience flight testing weapon systems and/or mission systems on military aircraft.
- Advanced working knowledge of weapons integration, payload systems, SMS, S&RE, and associated aircraft interfaces.
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, UAI, and related weapon-system integration standards.
- Experience working in classified flight test environments and implementing Safety Management System processes for flight test operations.
- Familiarity with USAF 412th Test Wing processes and Combined Test Force operations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience briefing senior leadership, government customers, and cross-functional technical teams.
- Ability to serve as a senior technical advisor, lead integrated test activities, and influence technical direction across programs.
- Experience applying electrical, electronic, and mechanical principles to components and systems, including assembly, analysis, and documentation of results; constructing developmental assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components; quality testing; and supporting the design, test, modification, fabrication, and assembly of prototype electromechanical systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead weapons integration test activity from research and requirements analysis through test design, data collection planning, execution oversight, troubleshooting, and post-test evaluation.
- Develop and direct comprehensive test plans, integrated test strategies, detailed test procedures, and schedules for complex weapon-system ground and flight test missions.
- Serve as the lead technical authority for weapon-system flight test execution, aligning test objectives, instrumentation, safety considerations, and data requirements with program and customer expectations.
- Evaluate Software Requirements Packages, Interface Control Documents, Performance-Based Specifications, architecture products, and other technical instructions for test completeness and technical accuracy.
- Resolve complex technical and integration problems involving weapon-system hardware, software, interfaces, and aircraft/platform interactions.
- Provide real-time control room support and technical direction during ground and flight tests, including decisions about test conduct, anomaly response, and mission priorities.
- Lead post-flight data review, technical analysis, discrepancy resolution, and reporting; provide system-level evaluations and recommendations to leadership and customers.
- Coordinate weapons test communications among test operations, design engineering, maintenance, program leadership, and government customers.
- Advise management and customers on test strategy, technical risk, integration concerns, and capability development for current and future weapon-system applications.
- Develop advanced test methodologies, best practices, and technical approaches to improve organizational effectiveness and support long-range program objectives.
- Mentor less-experienced engineers and help develop technical capability within the weapons test organization.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
