Principal/ Sr. Principal Test Engineer (SURV-EW)
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking an Electronic Warfare Test Engineer for its Flight Test Engineering Survivability team at Edwards AFB, California. The role is targeted at either the Principal or Senior Principal level and focuses on hands-on technical execution and subject-matter expertise in electronic warfare and survivability testing throughout flight test campaigns. The engineer works with test disciplines in a Combined Test Force environment and with Integrated Product Teams to test low-observable technologies and electronic warfare systems on military aircraft. The position combines electronic warfare expertise with software and scripting skills to support test automation, data analysis, and tool development. The selected candidate will work full-time on-site; remote, hybrid, and telework arrangements are not available. Travel may be required, and the posting gives estimates of both 10% and up to 25%. The role requires an active DoD Secret clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance. Relocation assistance may be available.
Requirements
- For Principal 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.
- For Senior Principal level: a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related professional or military experience, or a Master's degree and 6 years of related professional or military experience.
- Experience in a systems test environment, such as flight test, HWIL, SIL, laboratory, or range testing of complex avionics, sensors, or mission systems.
- Demonstrated experience with at least one programming or scripting language used for test and data analysis, such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar.
- Familiarity with RF, radar, or electronic warfare concepts and test methods.
- 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 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 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.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience presenting technical data and findings to leadership, contractors, or customers.
- Direct flight-test experience with survivability capabilities, weapon systems, or mission systems on military aircraft.
- Understanding of low-observable concepts, including radar cross-section reduction, signature management, and material coatings.
- Strong understanding of electronic warfare fundamentals: electronic support, electronic attack, and electronic protection.
- Hands-on experience developing or maintaining analysis tools, automation scripts, or visualization dashboards for test data, 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-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 use software tools and scripts to automate data processing, perform signal and spectral analysis, and generate test reports.
- Collaborate in an Integrated Product Team environment to determine and communicate test requirements, methods, equipment and measurement selection, test setup, and pre- and post-test reporting.
- Support integration and troubleshooting of electronic warfare and survivability test configurations, including RF emitters, receivers, recorders, and mission-system interfaces.
- Analyze flight test data to characterize electronic warfare system performance, including electronic support, electronic attack, and electronic protection, and contribute to test cards, quick-look products, and final test reports.
- Identify, communicate, and help manage test risks, issues, and opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to improvements in test processes, data-analysis flows, and software tools to increase efficiency and repeatability.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life and 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
