Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems Sector is looking for a Manager Test Engineering 2. The Instrumentation team located in Palmdale, CA and Edwards AFB.
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding ourselves and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others.
This position supports the B-21 Raider, the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft. When it comes to delivering America’s resolve, the Raider provides the Air Force with long range, high survivability, and mission payload flexibility. The B-21 Raider will be capable of penetrating the toughest defenses to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world. The B-21 is the future of deterrence. Find out more here.
This position will be leading a flight test instrumentation operations section within the classified portfolio of Aeronautics Sector. The position will be responsible for the build-up, integration, checkout, and operations of a large scale flight test instrumentation system.
In addition to managing staff (15+ direct reports) and technical activities, you will be responsible for creating and managing schedules, spend plans, staffing plans, and developing proposals for future work. You will also be preparing presentations/reports and routinely presenting status to senior leadership.
Up to 10% travel.
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.
The candidate needs to be able to support any Shift (4x10 (M-TH, Tu-Fr) or 3x10 Fri-Sun), 1st shift or 2nd shift) based on business needs.
Basic Qualifications:
• Must have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science in a STEM discipline AND 9 years of professional/military experience OR a Master's degree and 7 years of professional/military experience.
• Must have 5 years of flight test experience or instrumentation/electrical fabrication.
• Must have prior management/leadership experience
• Must have an active DoD Secret level clearance
• Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Solid technical understanding of instrumentation systems and architectures
• Ability to interface with all levels of functional and program management
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute technical projects from inception through completion with the ability to manage several tasks/projects simultaneously
• Ability to manage cost, schedule, and technical performance of SOW elements
• Experience coordinating preparation of proposals, business plans, and spend plans.
• Risk and opportunity management experience
• Customer relationship experience
• Control Account Management Experience
We offer phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly inclusive environment! We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.
At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation-- building the next generation of sophisticated products 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, as well as our excellent work/life balance. We also offer exceptional benefits, a 9/80 schedule, and a great 401K matching program
Primary Level Salary Range: $146,600.00 - $219,800.00The 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 Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 9 years of professional or military experience, or a master's degree and 7 years of professional or military experience
- At least 5 years of flight test experience or instrumentation/electrical fabrication experience
- Prior management or leadership experience
- Active Department of Defense Secret-level security clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Program Access Authorization within a reasonable period
- Technical understanding of instrumentation systems and architectures
- Ability to interface with all levels of functional and program management
- Experience planning and executing technical projects from inception through completion while managing multiple tasks or projects
- Ability to manage cost, schedule, and technical performance of statement-of-work elements
- Experience coordinating proposals, business plans, and spend plans
- Risk and opportunity management experience
- Customer relationship experience
- Control Account Management experience
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
-
Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.






