Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal / Sr Principal Aeronautical Engineer to join the team of qualified individuals. Position is located in Edwards AFB, CA.
Be the technical authority for integration and verification, building lab architectures directly from requirements. Champion test readiness, fuse HW/SW interfaces, and deliver data that influences design and program decisions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems.
- Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
- Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
- Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detailed trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.
- The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position.
- Travel up to 25% may be required.
- Available to work odd shifts to include nights and weekends
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 my be filled at either level based on the qualifications below:
Basic Qualifications for Principal:
- 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 Sr. Principal:
- 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, OR a Ph.D. AND 4 year 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).
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance
- Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance (must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- In depth knowledge and experience of test experience, to include running checklists, radio communications, and working in a control room hierarchy, and control room monitoring.
- Demonstrated technical writing skills
- Required to obtain engineering qualification and maintain currency with company and customer provided training requirements.
- Experience with test, test equipment use and troubleshooting.
- Experience creating, updating and executing test procedure
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
- Familiarization or experience with Confluence and JIRA
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS)
- In depth knowledge and experience of various aerospace vehicles and mechanical systems
- Experience working in an integrated test environment with multiple stakeholders and partners
- Experience working in a combined test force (CTF) environment
#Yellow
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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 5 years of related professional or military experience for the Principal level
- Master's degree and 3 years of related professional or military experience for the Principal level
- Ph.D. and 1 year of related professional or military experience for the Principal level
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related professional or military experience for the Senior Principal level
- Master's degree and 6 years of related professional or military experience for the Senior Principal level
- Ph.D. and 4 years of related professional or military experience for the Senior Principal level
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance
- Ability to transfer and maintain a final adjudicated U.S. Government Top Secret clearance and required program access
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance
- In-depth test experience, including checklists, radio communications, control room hierarchy, and control room monitoring
- Demonstrated technical writing skills
- Ability to obtain engineering qualification and maintain required training currency
- Experience using test equipment and troubleshooting
- Experience creating, updating, and executing test procedures
- Current applicable Special Access Program clearance
- Familiarity or experience with Confluence and JIRA
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System
- In-depth knowledge or experience with aerospace vehicles and mechanical systems
- Experience working in an integrated test environment with multiple stakeholders and partners
- Experience working in a combined test force environment
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.





