Sr Principal/Principal Flight Test Engineer (Weapons)
Northrop GrummanDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to support weapon‑focused test efforts. The incumbent will serve as the primary technical authority for weapon‑systems test planning, execution, and data analysis, and will act as the focal point between design engineering, maintenance, test operations, and the customer.
Position Overview
The Weapons Test Engineer will work with a variety of test disciplines in a Combined Test Force (CTF) environment at Edwards AFB, CA, and with several Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to complete tasks related to testing aircraft weapon systems. The selected candidate will be self‑motivated and have a strong interest in the functional design‑integration of weapon systems and flight test.
Functional design‑integration requires in‑depth technical knowledge of Stores Management System (SMS) and Suspension & Release Equipment (S&RE) hardware and software, as well as familiarity with governing standards such as MIL‑STD‑1553, MIL‑STD‑1760, and the Universal Armament Interface (UAI). A broad understanding of overall aircraft subsystems and how they are used by pilots and maintainers is also essential.
The successful candidate should thrive in a fast‑paced environment with high expectations, diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels.
Core Responsibilities
- Perform duties in the weapons‑integration area, including research, data gathering, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
- Work from engineering specifications such as Software Requirements Packages, Interface Control Documents, Performance‑Based Specifications, architecture drawings, and other engineering instructions or technical data.
- Collaborate with a variety of test disciplines in a CTF environment and with IPTs to complete design, testing, and sustainment tasks for aircraft weapon systems. Independently determine and develop solution approaches.
- Communicate across engineering disciplines and technology areas to integrate capabilities and convey technical analyses to internal stakeholders and external customers (government customers and company leadership).
- Support test‑planning activities for ground‑ and flight‑test weapon missions.
- Provide real‑time control‑room monitoring during missions, as well as post‑flight data analysis, troubleshooting, and report generation.
- Perform weapon‑system checkouts and update maintenance procedures.
"This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below"
Basic Qualifications
"This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer"
Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer Flight Test Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience
- Must have an active US Government clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the 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 schedules.
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal Engineer Flight Test Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience
- Must have an active US Government clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the 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 schedules.
Preferred Qualifications
- Current active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills; experience presenting technical briefings to senior leadership, contractors, and customers.
- Direct test experience in flight‑testing weapon systems and/or mission systems of military aircraft.
- Development/integration experience and working knowledge of weapons and payload systems.
- Prior experience working in classified environments and implementing Safety Management System (SMS) processes for flight‑test operations.
- Familiarity with USAF 412th Test Wing processes.