Principal/ Sr. Principal Test Engineer (SURV-LO)

Northrop Grumman • Edwards AFB, CA

1d • $114,000 - $213,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is hiring a Principal or Sr. Principal Low Observables Test Engineer for its Flight Test Engineering Survivability team at Edwards AFB, California. The position 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 test disciplines in a Combined Test Force (CTF) environment and with Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) on testing LO and electronic warfare systems on military aircraft.

The role involves planning and executing tests, applying electronic warfare and survivability expertise, developing and using software and scripts for test automation and data analysis, and analyzing flight-test results. The engineer also supports ground testing, RCS test and inspection tools, pre-mission rehearsals, and readiness of aircraft configurations, range assets, threat systems, and data-acquisition architectures. Collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to learn and contribute within a multidisciplinary team are important. The selected candidate must work full-time and on-site; remote, hybrid, and telework arrangements are not available. Travel of up to 25% may be required.

The position may be filled at either the Principal or Sr. Principal level. Principal candidates need a STEM bachelor's degree and five years of related professional or military experience, or a master's degree and three years. Sr. Principal candidates need a STEM bachelor's degree and eight years of related experience, or a master's degree and six years. Both levels require systems test experience, familiarity with survivability concepts, programming or scripting experience, an active DoD Secret clearance, and the ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance. Candidates must be willing to work overtime, odd-hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test and range schedules.

The listed annual salary ranges are $114,000–$171,000 for the primary level and $142,200–$213,400 for the secondary level. Employees may also 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. Relocation assistance may be available.

Requirements

• For the Principal level: bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and five years of related professional or military experience, or a master's degree and three years of related professional or military experience.
• For the Sr. Principal level: bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and eight years of related professional or military experience, or a master's degree and six 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, low observables/radar cross section, 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 six years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program 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 facility; remote, hybrid, and telework are not available.

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 military aircraft mission systems.
• Experience using Tier 1–3 diagnostic 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, electronic attack, and electronic protection.
• Hands-on experience developing or maintaining test-data analysis tools, automation scripts, or visualization dashboards, such as Python pipelines, MATLAB toolboxes, or C/C++ utilities.
• Experience working in classified environments and familiarity with Safety Management System 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 observables and electronic warfare systems on military aircraft.
• 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 with Integrated Product Teams to define and communicate test requirements, 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 and ground testing, and operate and maintain Tier 0–3 RCS test and inspection tools.
• Support pre-mission rehearsals to verify aircraft configurations, range assets, threat systems, and data-acquisition architectures are ready for planned scenarios.
• Identify, communicate, and help manage test risks, issues, and opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Improve test processes, data-analysis flows, and software tools to increase efficiency and repeatability.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential 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