Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking an experienced Test Engineer to support our Armament Systems site in Plymouth, MN. This can be filled at the principal (Level 3) or sr. principal (level 4) depending on experience.
This site develops and produces medium and large-caliber ammunition as well as precision capabilities for direct and indirect fire systems. Leading the industry, this team successfully completes lifecycle support for medium-caliber cannons, develops miniature, precision strike weapons for airborne platforms, creates survivability solutions for soldiers and the next generation tactical ammunition for a variety of combat platforms
Responsibilities:
- Ensure product quality by creating production test equipment for military/aerospace products. Includes programming, debugging, and deploying into production equipment that adjusts, calibrates and certifies device specifications.
- Design, develop, and implement cost-effective methods of testing for Design Verification (DVT).
- Maintain and update test equipment supporting functional board level and final acceptance testers. Support production floor test equipment.
- Understand the functionality of several products to reduce test time or suggest additional tests. Co-lead design reviews and design for testability.
- Assist with fixture fabrication and ordering of parts and managing suppliers.
- Prepare test and diagnostic programs, design test fixtures, instrument racks and equipment.
- Compile data and define changes required in test equipment, test procedures, manufacturing processes, or test requirements.
- Function as liaison between Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure that innovative new product designs can be manufactured cost effectively with high quality. Perform Design for Testability and coverage analysis.
- Understand customer requirements documentation and translate to test cases for DVT and production test.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or equivalent discipline plus:
- Principal (Level 3): 5 years of professional experience in building and maintaining automated test equipment, OR a Masters degree & 3 years of professional experience in building and maintaining automated test equipment
- Sr. Principal Test Engineer (Level 4): 8 years of professional experience in building and maintaining automated test equipment (ATE). Or master’s degree plus 6 years of experience; or PhD plus 4 yrs of experience.
- Ability to obtain and maintain government secret clearance after starting employment (US citizenship required)
- Experience as Electrical Engineer or Computer Engineer oriented to hardware.
- Proven Experience in programming languages.. 1-2 years of experience in LabVIEW.
- Read/understand schematics, understand embedded software and communication protocols.
- Digital and Analog Electronics experience to design circuitry for signal conditioning and isolation.
- Knowledge in Electrical and Functional Testers with: Interfaces, Pneumatic Systems, Communication protocols, PXI and GPIB instruments test platforms.
- Work on-site with flexible work arrangement. Able to travel 10% of time (domestic).
- Solid communication skills and ability to clearly establish verbal communication with remote audience.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, team-oriented, self-motivated, leadership.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with cross-functional team members.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment that is fast paced, rapidly changing, short turn-around environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering is highly desired.
- Experience with high-volume device assembly and PCB fabrication practices.
- Experience designing test fixtures and product testing under high and low temperature extremes.
- LabVIEW, Python or C++ and OOP experience.
- Experience with ICT testing and fixture development is a plus (Keysight i3070 preferable).
- Green belt or experience in the use of Six Sigma tools: DOE, R&R, MSE, DFSS is preferred.
- PWB layout and design experience.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent
- Professional experience building and maintaining automated test equipment (Principal: 5 years or Master's+3; Sr Principal: 8 years or Master's+6 or PhD+4)
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret government clearance
- Experience as an Electrical Engineer or Computer Engineer oriented to hardware
- Proven programming experience; 1-2 years LabVIEW experience required
- Ability to read/understand schematics, embedded software, and communication protocols
- Digital and analog electronics experience for signal conditioning and isolation circuit design
- Knowledge of electrical and functional testers, interfaces, pneumatic systems, PXI and GPIB instrument platforms
- Ability to work on-site in Plymouth, MN with flexible arrangements and travel domestically ~10%
- Strong communication, multitasking, problem-solving, leadership and teamwork skills
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
- Experience with high-volume device assembly and PCB fabrication practices
- Experience designing test fixtures and product testing under temperature extremes
- Python or C++ and object oriented programming experience
- Experience with ICT testing and fixture development (Keysight i3070 preferred)
- Green Belt or experience using Six Sigma tools (DOE, R&R, MSE, DFSS)
- PWB layout and design 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.









