Principal/Senior Principal Systems Test Engineer

Posted Yesterday
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San Diego, CA, USA
In-Office
104K-194K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Lead development and execution of automated and manual system test cases to verify functional requirements, troubleshoot air and ground system discrepancies, present results to leadership, support lab operations, and drive process improvements. Support multiple shifts and occasional off-hours; use network diagnosis tools and test automation to validate interfaces and system behavior.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Systems Test Engineer/ Sr. Principal Systems Test Engineer to join the team of qualified individuals. Position is located in San Diego, CA.

Step into a high-impact systems test role on the Triton Program. If you’re energized by test like you fly, first-time quality, and engineering rigor, this opportunity lets you elevate mission readiness while growing your expertise. You’ll drive end-to-end system validation that directly improves the user experience.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for development and execution of automated and manual test cases to verify system functional requirements
  • The ideal candidate is detail oriented, organized, and able to learn challenging concepts quickly in a fast-paced environment
  • Developing robust nominal & off-nominal test cases centered on improving the user experience
  • Work independently on assigned tasks to meet deadlines while managing multiple projects at once
  • Flexibility to support weekends, multiple shifts, and off hours.
  • The candidate will also be expected to actively seek opportunities for process improvement
  • Interface and present test integration and execution results to program and test leadership at pre-and-post-test reviews
  • Use Wireshark/TCP, ICMP, and/or Netstat to evaluate systems
  • Report, Track, and Troubleshoot Air and Ground systems discrepancies

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, 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 at what we do.

*Position may be filled at either level depending on qualifications below*

Basic Qualifications for Principal Test Conductor:

  • 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, OR a Ph.D. AND 1 year of related professional/military experience.

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Test Conductor:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 9 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 7 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience.

Basic Qualifications for Both Levels:

  • Must have an active US Government Secret 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.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance 
  • Extensive Experience in Test Program Execution
  • Prior Experience in Hot bench and overall lab operations support.
  • Experience working System Test, SW Development and/or Systems Engineering
  • Understanding of the software development lifecycle and agile development methodology

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Security+ certification
  • Experience with IBM Rational tool suite (DOORS and Jazz)
  • Experience with Atlassian tool suite (JIRA, Git, Confluence)
  • Experience using software test automation tools/frameworks
  • Software development experience
  • Strong Troubleshooting abilities
  • Experience with network diagnosis tools; Wireshark, ICMP, Netstat
  • Strong understanding with interfaces of software/system environments

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00Secondary 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 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 in a STEM discipline and 5 years related experience (Principal) OR Master's +3 years OR Ph.D. +1 year
  • Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and 9 years related experience (Senior Principal) OR Master's +7 years OR Ph.D. +4 years
  • Active US Government Secret clearance with background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) access
  • Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance
  • Extensive experience in test program execution
  • Prior experience in hot bench and lab operations support
  • Experience with system test, software development, and/or systems engineering
  • Understanding of the software development lifecycle and agile development methodology
  • Ability to develop and execute automated and manual test cases and troubleshoot system discrepancies (including use of Wireshark/TCP, ICMP, Netstat)
  • Flexibility to support weekends, multiple shifts, and off hours
  • Security+ certification
  • Experience with IBM Rational tool suite (DOORS, Jazz)
  • Experience with Atlassian tool suite (JIRA, Git, Confluence)
  • Experience using software test automation tools/frameworks
  • Software development experience
  • Strong troubleshooting abilities and strong understanding of software/system interfaces

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.

  • Retirement Support 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
  • Parental & Family Support Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.

Northrop Grumman Insights

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

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