Sr Principal Test Engineer- Active Secret Clearance Required

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the TimeDescription
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’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr Principal Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in our Test and Evaluation Engineering Organization. This will be supporting our Research and Advance Design RA&D Operating Unit. This role is located in San Diego, CA or El Segundo, CA.
In this role, you will be responsible for all facets of the test program, including lab and flight test staffing, planning, execution, and reporting.
Success in this role will be attained by being highly motivated and self-starting, with relevant test experience, supporting test activities in the System Integration Lab (SIL) in Rancho Bernardo and ground and flight tests.
Responsibilities:
Orchestrate lab, ground and flight integration and developmental testing for NGAS.
Ensure engineering tests serve developmental objectives and mechanisms are in place to execute the tests.
Review status of test requirements, manage schedules, prepare test plans and test reports.
Identify all test and test program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans.
Coordinate ground test engineering and operations, aircraft modifications for testing, frequent interaction with Engineering in Rancho Bernardo, Space Park, El Segundo, and Palmdale, ensuring cost and schedule performance targets are met.
Provide program leadership with test site employee staffing forecasts and provide timely resource forecasts to program management, assuring that proper staffing is in place to execute the Test Statement of Work.
Excellent communication skills, experience leading test engineering personnel, and be capable of working in a matrix environment with multiple sources of management guidance.
You may be required to support extended shifts and occasional weekends as required to maintain program schedules.
We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 or 4/10 work schedule, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better.
Basic Qualifications:
Must have a Bachelors of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field and 8 years of relevant Lab, Ground and Flight test military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and 6 years of relevant Lab, Ground and Flight test military / professional experience, OR a PhD and 4 years of relevant Lab, Ground and Flight test military / professional experience
Must have experience leading flight test programs
Must have experience with program risk, opportunity and issue management processes
Experience in Lab environments.
Must have an active Secret US Government clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) and the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret US Clearance.
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs PRIOR to the commencement of employment.
Must have the ability to travel up to 25% of your time
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience leading a Test team in a dynamic work environment
Excellent organizational and written communication skills, as well as project management planning and presentation skills
Proficient with MS Project, Excel, Power Point, Word
Demonstrated ability to create trusted relationships
Experience with Jira and Confluence tools
An active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Prior clearance to a Special Access Program (SAP) or Special Compartmentalized Information (SCI)
What We Offer:
At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation -- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare and a great 401K matching program!
Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an