Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal / Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization.
This position will be supporting one or more aircraft platforms within our Strike portfolio and will be 100% on-site at Edwards AFB, CA.
Overview of Responsibilities and Expectations:
Interface with design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements.
Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program.
Support and host test planning working groups across multiple disciplines.
Perform technical analysis of complete systems and prepares comprehensive system level evaluations.
Develop detailed test plans, safety plans, test schedules, and test procedures for developmental testing.
Support test card development and review cycles with other engineering disciplines and test operations.
Support test readiness reviews, pre/post-test briefings and other reviews for senior leadership.
Provide control room support and make real-time decisions regarding safety, effectiveness and efficiency.
Conduct and contributes to pre/post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution.
Maintain metrics on status of testing and issues constraining test.
Demonstrate outstanding written and oral communications skills.
Serve as subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, contractors and customers.
Be proficient in Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS).
Work overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work occasionally.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications
"This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal level"
Basic Qualifications for Principal:
Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience in Flight or Ground Test, OR a Master's degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience Experience in Flight or Ground Test.
Must have an active US Government 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.
Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal:
Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience in Flight or Ground Test, OR a Master's degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience Experience in Flight or Ground Test.
Must have an active US Government 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in Jet Propulsion
Experience in Aerodynamics
Experience in Thermodynamics
Experience in Engine Control Systems
Experience in Engine Maintenance
Experience in Flight or Ground Test
Experience in Control Room Monitoring
Proficiency in MATLAB
Proficiency in IADS
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline AND 5 years related professional/military experience in Flight or Ground Test OR Master's degree AND 3 years related experience (Principal level)
- Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline AND 8 years related professional/military experience in Flight or Ground Test OR Master's degree AND 6 years related experience (Sr Principal level)
- Active US Government clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- U.S. Citizenship
- Experience in Flight or Ground Test
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Proficiency in Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS)
- Proficiency in MATLAB
- Experience in Jet Propulsion
- Experience in Aerodynamics
- Experience in Thermodynamics
- Experience with Engine Control Systems and Engine Maintenance
- Experience in Control Room Monitoring
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.







