Principal/Sr Principal Engineer Systems Test

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 / Sr. Principal System Test Engineer (STE) – T03/T04 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within the Systems Test Engineering organization, supporting the NATO Test Integrated Product Team (IPT). This position will be on site and located in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), CA.

Responsibilities include working with STE Teammates, Test IPT Leadership, Lab Operations Leadership, and Test Planning & Execution (TP&E) teams to successfully plan, and execute dry run and formal test activities to evaluated, and certify hardware and software for ground and flight release.  Must have the ability to communicate up to leadership, and across to teammates and team members.  Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative team settings across all levels.  A successful track record of program performance and test experience is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute dry-run and formal system-level test activities to evaluate and certify hardware/software for ground and flight release.
• Develop, execute, and document integrated software/hardware test procedures to verify functional compliance with system requirements and support verification/validation of architecture and protocol upgrades.
• Design nominal, off-nominal, end-to-end test scenarios assessing performance, reliability, interoperability, and operational effectiveness (including navigation, communications, and networking subsystems).
• Analyze system requirements and translate them into test strategies, detailed test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and requirement-to-test traceability.
• Support integration, functional, regression testing in laboratory and operational test environments; coordinate data collection, analysis, reporting, and closure of verification metrics.
• Drive lab configuration technical rigor, process rigor, and compliance with company/program/security requirements; support lab operations and hot bench activities as required.
• Apply Agile testing practices (including continuous integration and test-driven development concepts as appropriate) to enable iterative development and rapid feedback.
• Collaborate across systems/software/hardware/cybersecurity/network & communications teams to integrate and verify subsystem changes.
• Communicate test status, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to engineering leadership and program stakeholders; present at pre- and post-test reviews.
• Work independently on assigned tasks, manage multiple priorities, and deliver against program schedules in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to support weekends, multiple shifts, and off hours on site
• Travel: Up to 20% (as needed for ground/flight test events.

Northrop Grumman offers a 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.  Seeking a self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented individual to help Northrop Grumman grow services and become even better at what we do.

This role will be filled at either a System Test Engineer 3 or 4 based on the relevant experience required for each role.

Basic Qualifications for Principal System Test Engineer:

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) discipline with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in STEM with 3 years of related engineering experience.
• Must have an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation.
• Experience in System Test, Software Development, and/or Systems Engineering.
• Experience developing verification/validation strategy and verification metrics maintenance.
• Experience developing and executing system-level test procedures and maintaining requirement-to-test traceability.
• Flexibility to travel internationally up to 20% to support Ground/Flight Test Events.
• Ability to support weekends, multiple shifts, and off hours on site as business needs.

Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal System Test Engineer:

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) discipline with 9 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in STEM with 7 years of related engineering experience, OR a PhD in STEM with 4 years of related engineering experience.
• Must have an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation.
• Experience in System Test, Software Development, and/or Systems Engineering.
• Experience developing verification/validation strategy and verification metrics maintenance.
• Experience developing and executing system-level test procedures and maintaining requirement-to-test traceability.
• Flexibility to travel internationally up to 20% to support Ground/Flight Test Events.
• Ability to support weekends, multiple shifts, and off hours on site as business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Flight Test Experience
• Experience writing scripts (Python preferred); experience with Java/C++
• Experience with communications & networking subsystems.
• Extensive experience developing and executing System level test procedures
• Understanding of Agile Test methodology
• Control Account Management (CAM) certified.
• Previous experience with hot bench and overall lab operations support
• Ability to obtain and maintain access to Special Programs (SAP); US Government Top Secret clearance.
• Experience with Windows/Linux operating systems and Virtual Machines (VMs).
• ​Tools: IBM Rational (DOORS/ClearQuest) and/or Atlassian (JIRA/Git/Confluence).

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: $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.