Principal / Sr Principal Systems Test Engineer

Northrop Grumman•Palmdale, CA

3d•$103,600 - $193,900•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Principal/Sr Principal Systems Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This position will be in Palmdale, CA. We are seeking a high-energy, detail-oriented Systems Test Engineer to join our production test team as a lead. In this role, you will serve as the subject matter expert for aircraft systems, ensuring testing is executed safely, efficiently, and to the highest technical standards. This unique position requires proficiency across electrical, RF, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic disciplines, with the ability to transition seamlessly between these functions. You will bridge the gap between systems engineers and the production execution team, guiding the test lifecycle from initial planning through final data evaluation. As a lead, you will manage a small team of junior engineers and establish a structured mentorship and knowledge-sharing cadence. Your goal will be to bridge the gap between the technician and engineer workforces.

Requirements

Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
Principal Systems Test Engineer: Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a BS Degree or 3 Years with MS Degree or 2 years with a Ph.D. in STEM.
Sr Principal Systems Test Engineer: Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a BS Degree or 6 Years with MS Degree or 4 years with a Ph.D. in STEM.
Experience in a system test environment.
Must have an active U.S. government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Proficiency with Mechanical or Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering concepts.
Must be able to work multiple shifts depending on program need and have ability and willingness to work non-standard shifts/overtime.
Proficient with MS Office applications including Excel, Word, and/or Power Point.
U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Nice To Haves

Current Program SAP Access
Active U.S. government Top Secret clearance
Demonstrated expertise in test planning, execution, and troubleshooting for production and flight tests, including the development of clear, structured ATPs and detailed technical reports
Experienced user in Visio, AutoCAD or CATIA or NX
Solid understanding of electrical, RF and microwave fundamentals
Ability to perform root-cause analysis and troubleshoot complex hardware/software issues down to the component level.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the creation of acceptance test plans (ATP), test schedules, and detailed integration test procedures.
Host test planning working groups and coordinate technical reviews to move ATPs through the formal approval process.
Lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) prior to execution.
Provide real-time support during testing, making critical decisions regarding safety and effectiveness.
Act as the technical expert for aircraft systems.
Create educational content for execution staff to improve troubleshooting and system awareness.
Interface with design and analysis teams to define test data requirements.
Coordinate personnel and equipment to ensure seamless execution.
Participate in post-test data evaluations and resolve technical discrepancies.
Develop creative solutions for complex engineering problems.
Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external organizations.
Work effectively both independently and within a collaborative team environment.
Work extended shifts, weekends, and holidays to meet critical program milestones.