Principal / Sr. Principal Test Conductor

Northrop Grumman • Edwards AFB, CA

9d • $103,600 - $193,900 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is hiring a Principal or Senior Principal Test Conductor for its Test and Evaluation organization in Edwards AFB, California. This individual-contributor role plans and coordinates test operations as an approved test conductor on and off an active flight line. The Test Conductor prepares test worksheets, leads engineering briefs, and directs engineers and technicians during ground test events. During launch and recovery operations, the role serves as the operational link between maintenance, engineering, mission control, and pilots.

The position requires working varied shifts according to business needs, including 4x10 schedules Monday through Thursday or 3x10 schedules Friday through Sunday, on either first or second shift. The selected candidate must be willing to support extended hours, shift rotations, weekends, and holidays, and travel domestically to support testing operations. Travel is listed as 10% of the time. An active Secret clearance is required to start; the candidate must also be able to obtain and maintain Top Secret and Special Access Program clearances. Relocation assistance may be available.

The Principal level requires a high school diploma and 9 years of related professional or military experience, a bachelor's degree and 5 years, a master's degree and 3 years, or a Ph.D. and 1 year. The Senior Principal level requires a high school diploma and 12 years of related professional or military experience, a bachelor's degree and 8 years, a master's degree and 6 years, or a Ph.D. and 4 years. Both levels require experience in a system test and/or aircraft test or operational environment, familiarity with blueprints, engineering guidance and data collection, and familiarity with special test equipment such as oscilloscopes and network analyzers.

The listed salary range is $103,600–$155,400 for the Principal level and $129,300–$193,900 for the Senior Principal level. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus. Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation and/or personal business. U.S. citizenship is required for positions requiring a government clearance.

Requirements

• Principal level: High school diploma and 9 years of related professional or military experience, or bachelor's degree and 5 years, or master's degree and 3 years, or Ph.D. and 1 year.
• Senior Principal level: High school diploma and 12 years of related professional or military experience, or bachelor's degree and 8 years, or master's degree and 6 years, or Ph.D. and 4 years.
• Experience in a system test and/or aircraft test or operational environment.
• Familiarity with blueprints, engineering guidance, and data collection.
• Familiarity with special test equipment, such as oscilloscopes and network analyzers.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance, with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government Top Secret clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Ability and willingness to work multiple shifts, including first or second shift on 4x10 Monday–Thursday or 3x10 Friday–Sunday schedules.
• Willingness and ability to support extended hours, shift rotations, weekends, holidays, and domestic travel as needed.
• U.S. citizenship is required for positions requiring a government clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Current active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance.
• Experience as a Test Engineer or Test Conductor, including test development, planning, and execution.
• Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items, and other test work documents.
• Experience with MES, FMT, or other documentation systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate test operations as an approved test conductor on and off an active flight line.
• Prepare test worksheets and lead engineering briefs.
• Direct engineers and technicians through ground test events.
• Serve as the operational link between maintenance, engineering, mission control, and pilots during launch and recovery operations.
• Develop and execute ground test procedures and support active flight line testing.
• Conduct preflight and postflight power-on checks.
• Provide first-line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, and modifications to systems under test.
• Provide supervision and direction to maintenance personnel for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test.
• Analyze and interpret test data and recommend alternate means of compliance to engineering and leadership as required.
• Coordinate with support organizations to plan and execute a developmental test program.
• Support post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives.
• Travel domestically to support testing operations and support extended hours, shift rotations, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Depending on the position, eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus.
• Relocation assistance may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: High school or GED