Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Test Conductor for our Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri location. As a member of our multi-disciplined team, this role directly supports the installation of capability upgrades on the B-2 Stealth Bomber fleet.
Join the WAFB Modifications Engineering team for B-2 and take part in engineering solutions to deploy and deliver a state-of-the-art systems to our customer. The candidate will provide advanced technological ideas and subject matter expertise.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and operations teams to determine modifications impact and aircraft retest requirements.
- Interpret system schematics and specifications to determine aircraft system performance requirements.
- Develop integrated test plans/procedures and schedules for post modification aircraft regression and system tests.
- Organize and lead test planning and readiness reviews.
- Act as test conductor, directing technicians and cockpit operators during aircraft testing.
- Review aircraft system level data to evaluate performance requirements.
- Conduct and contribute to pre and post test data analysis to identify anomalies.
- Troubleshoot system anomalies and direct technicians actions required to identify defects to correct modification installation issues.
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Test Conductor (Level 3):
- Bachelor's Degree in a related STEM field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master's Degree with 3 or more years of relevant work experience; OR a PhD with a minimum of 1 year(s) of relevant work experience
- Related experience could include but not limited to developmental test experience, flight test, avionics, and/or aviation experience.
- Ability to understand and effectively communicate technical issues (written and verbal)
- Experience in researching technical issues through engineering drawing/schematic/specification review, database records queries, and theory of operation.
- Ability to create test work orders/instructions
- Ability to traverse aircraft and operate in flightline/hangar environment to include: tooling, stands, ladders, steps etc. while wearing appropriate PPE.
- Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final U.S adjudicated U.S government 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.
Basic Qualifications for the Sr. Principal Test Conductor (Level 4):
- Bachelor's Degree in a related STEM field with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master's Degree with 6 or more years of relevant work experience; OR a PhD with a minimum of 4 year(s) of relevant work experience
- Related experience could include but not limited to developmental test experience, flight test, avionics, and/or aviation experience.
- Ability to understand and effectively communicate technical issues (written and verbal)
- Experience in researching technical issues through engineering drawing/schematic/specification review, database records queries, and theory of operation.
- Ability to create test work orders/instructions
- Ability to traverse aircraft and operate in flightline/hangar environment to include: tooling, stands, ladders, steps etc. while wearing appropriate PPE.
- Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final U.S adjudicated U.S government 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.
Preferred Qualifications (Both Levels):
- Previous experience with aircraft systems testing, B-2 experience preferred.
- Experience reading and working to Air Force Technical Orders
- Experience with aircraft data analysis, using OGP (On Board Test System Ground Processor)
- Proficiency with the full suite of Microsoft Office Tools.
- Documented experience working in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in a related STEM field with minimum 5 years relevant experience OR Master's with 3+ years OR PhD with 1+ years (Principal level)
- Bachelor's Degree in a related STEM field with minimum 8 years relevant experience OR Master's with 6+ years OR PhD with 4+ years (Sr. Principal level)
- Related experience such as developmental test, flight test, avionics, and/or aviation experience
- Ability to understand and effectively communicate technical issues (written and verbal)
- Experience researching technical issues via engineering drawing/schematic/specification review, database queries, and theory of operation
- Ability to create test work orders/instructions and develop integrated test plans/procedures and schedules
- Ability to traverse aircraft and operate in flightline/hangar environments (tooling, stands, ladders) while wearing PPE
- Ability to obtain, transfer, and maintain a final U.S. government Secret clearance (enrollment in Continuous Evaluation may be required)
- Act as test conductor directing technicians and cockpit operators during aircraft testing; lead test planning and readiness reviews
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.







