Test Engineer/ Principal Test Engineer (SURV-LO)

Northrop Grumman • Edwards AFB, CA

1d • $91,800 - $171,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Low Observables Test Engineer to join the Flight Test Engineering Survivability team at Edwards AFB, California. The role may be filled at the Test Engineer or Principal Test Engineer level and focuses on hands-on technical execution and subject-matter expertise in low observables (LO) and survivability testing throughout flight test campaigns.

The engineer works with multiple test disciplines in a Combined Test Force environment and with Integrated Product Teams to test low-observable and electronic warfare systems on military aircraft. The role combines LO knowledge with software and scripting skills to support test automation, data analysis, and tool development. The selected candidate must work full-time on-site; remote, hybrid, and telework arrangements are unavailable. Travel of up to 25% may be required.

Requirements

• For the Test Engineer level: a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 2 years of related professional or military experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of related professional or military experience.
• For the Principal Test Engineer level: a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related professional or military experience, or a Master's degree and 3 years of related professional or military experience.
• Experience in a systems test environment, such as flight test, HWIL, SIL, laboratory, or range-based testing of complex avionics, sensors, or mission systems.
• Familiarity with survivability concepts, such as threat systems, mission-level survivability, LO/RCS, and electronic warfare effects.
• Demonstrated experience with at least one programming or scripting language used for test and data analysis, such as Python or MATLAB.
• 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.
• Willingness to work overtime, odd-hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test and range schedules.
• Ability to work full-time on-site at the Edwards AFB facility; remote, hybrid, and telework are unavailable.

Nice To Haves

• Current active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including experience presenting mission concepts, test designs, and results to leadership, contractors, or customers.
• Direct flight-test experience with survivability capabilities, weapon systems, or mission systems on military aircraft.
• Experience using Tier 1-3 diagnostics systems to categorize RCS performance.
• Understanding of low-observable concepts, including RCS reduction, signature management, and material coatings.
• Understanding of electronic warfare fundamentals, including electronic support (ES), electronic attack (EA), and electronic protection (EP).
• Hands-on experience developing or maintaining analysis tools, automation scripts, or visualization dashboards for test data, such as Python-based pipelines, MATLAB toolboxes, or C/C++ utilities.
• Experience working in classified environments and familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) processes for flight test operations.
• Familiarity with USAF 412th Test Wing processes and Combined Test Force operations at Edwards AFB.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute tests for low-observable and electronic warfare systems on military aircraft as a technical contributor to the Survivability Flight Test Engineering team.
• Apply electronic warfare and survivability expertise to design test points, define instrumentation needs, and evaluate system performance against requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and apply analysis tools, scripts, and models to automate data processing, perform signal and spectral analysis, and generate test reports.
• Collaborate in an Integrated Product Team to determine and communicate test requirements, testing methods, equipment and measurement selection, test setup, and pre- and post-test reporting.
• Analyze flight test data to characterize system low-observable performance and contribute to test cards, quick-look products, and final test reports.
• Support integration, ground testing, and operation and maintenance of Tier 0-3 RCS test and inspection tools, as well as pre-mission rehearsals to verify aircraft configurations, range assets, threat systems, and data acquisition architectures.
• Identify, communicate, and help manage test risks, issues, and opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test processes, data analysis flows, and software tools.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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