Environmental Test Engineering Manager 2

Embark on a career putting innovative, reliable, and agile products and ideas into orbit, and beyond. Northrop Grumman has opportunities waiting for you that play a vital role in human space exploration, national defense, and scientific discovery, supporting multiple programs across the universe. With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today. 

Space Systems is an industry-leading provider for prime satellite and payload capabilities and directed energy and electronics solutions for national security, military, and civil customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible. 

The Western Region Manufacturing and Operations, Mechanical & Environmental Test Engineering Department is seeking an Environmental Test Engineering Manager 2 in Redondo Beach, CA to manage department daily operations and provide technical leadership to the team of environmental test engineers (Thermal & Dynamics) located in Redondo Beach, CA and Gilbert, AZ.

This role includes the management of environmental test engineering professionals, processes, assets, and indirect budgets related to the execution of environmental test. 

As a leader, you always act with integrity, and the highest ethical standards characterize everything you do. You enable your team to achieve predictable and balanced results, while satisfying the needs of internal and external partners. You treat all people with respect, and you model personal growth and continuous development. You know how to build an inclusive environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. You develop trusted and valued customer relationships and communicate effectively, so that people throughout the organization feel engaged and connected to their work. You deliver excellence, strive for continuous improvement and respond vigorously to change.

You ensure that your team has the information and tools needed to perform at their best. You demonstrate our committed pursuit of applying innovation to meet the requirements of our customers. You craft and execute strategies that result in sustainable value creation that delivers measurable results.

These are highly dynamic, interactive positions. You will interact with numerous stakeholders including program management, systems engineering, flight hardware design engineers and logistical support services. Outstanding organizational and leadership skills are required to succeed in this role. 

The Integration & Test (I&T) Mechanical & Environmental Test Engineering Department (M&ETE) is looking for a functional section manager who will also provide technical leadership to space programs and the engineering team. 

Qualified candidates are expected to understand space hardware, testing methods, floor operations, and tools.  The Environmental Test Section Manager is the IT&L Engineering focal for all Environmental Test Efforts spanning across the space park Gilbert Arizona campus.

The Environmental Test Engineering Section Manager works across all Space programs to test and qualify space-bound hardware. A Strong understanding of environmental testing operations, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing of aerospace or avionics hardware will be vital for this role. This role includes the management of people, processes, assets, and indirect budgets related to the execution of Environmental Testing. 

Environmental Test Engineering Managers are responsible for the following: 

• Resource Scheduling and prioritization 

• Forecasting resource utilization (people and equipment) 

• Drive process improvement initiatives, affordability initiatives and operational efficiency improvements 

• Schedules test lab usage, maintains test equipment (e.g., shakers, thermal chambers) 

• Manage Capital assets and preventative maintenance 

• Manage and forecast indirect and capital budgets  

• Serve as the organization’s advisor to Senior Management and stakeholders on all technical studies and applications 

• Collaborate across multiple Integrated Product teams, make strategic decisions, and manage priorities  

• Interface with program leadership to communicate test progress, risks, and opportunities. Resolve risks and roadblocks by leveraging cross-discipline collaboration across engineering, operations, and IT&L functions. 

The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels. 

Functional responsibilities include: 

• Staffing support to space systems programs across the Space Park and Gilbert campuses

• Conducting quarterly performance evaluations and annual reviews 

• Providing technical leadership and guidance to the staff 

• Managing indirect, program direct, and capital needs 

• Professional development and mentoring of direct reports 

• Supporting Functional Homeroom initiatives and projects which include process improvement, Event Response Teams, Corrective and Preventive Action implementation, & Proposal efforts. 

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

• 401k

• Educational Assistance

• Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

• Paid Time Off

• Health & Wellness Resources

• Employee Discounts

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelors of Science Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline plus 5 years of experience OR Masters of Science Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline plus 2 years of experience 

• Experience as the environmental test authority for test campaigns 

• A minimum of 3 years of hands-on environmental test engineering experience  

• Experience with large scale thermal vacuum testing with extensive knowledge of chamber operations and maintenance 

• Strong communication skills, including experience presenting and interfacing with customers and program leadership 

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with ability to diagnose and troubleshoot thermal test equipment 

• Capability to dynamically staff testing campaigns, resource allocation, schedule execution, and workforce development. 

• Extensive technical experience with space vehicle mechanical systems, architecture, and testing procedures. 

• Excellent communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills. 

• Active Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance required at time of application.

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in managing people and projects 

• Experience mentoring new hires and junior engineers and encouraging employee engagement 

• Experience in thermal testing of space flight hardware 

• Strong knowledge of heat transfer theory and methods 

• Strong working knowledge of thermal test equipment including  pumps (rough, cryo, turbo, diffusion), valves, heaters, PLC systems, leak detectors, QCM’s, RGA’s  

• Experience working with large scale liquid and gaseous nitrogen storage and pumping systems 

• Experience with calibrated equipment and metrology 

• Background in other environmental test areas (vibration, acoustic) and experience with cross-training to maintain flexible workforce 

• Hands on approach to managing equipment 

• Experience with writing, reviewing and interpreting technical documentation including test procedures and drawings 

• Experience with contamination monitoring and leak checking equipment and methods 

• Proficient with standard Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) 

• Experience with data acquisition systems and software applications related to thermal testing