Principal / Sr. Principal Test Conductor

Posted One Month Ago
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Palmdale, CA, USA
In-Office
104K-194K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Plans, schedules, and conducts aircraft and system test events; leads technicians and engineers during execution; authors test work documents; develops procedures; supports troubleshooting, maintenance, data processing, and analysis; interprets test results and recommends compliance solutions. The role requires collaboration with responsible and system test engineers, participation in technical reviews, production-environment operations, multiple-shift availability, and active Secret clearance with SAP eligibility.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 Test Conductor to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Special Test Equipment organization. This role is located in Palmdale, CA.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Plan, schedule and conduct test events, Lead team of technicians and engineers during test execution. Author work authorizations (TWS, Prep Items, etc) for test and troubleshooting purposes. Work with Responsible Engineers (REs) and System Test Engineers (STE) to develop test procedures, perform test article operations in a production environment.  Attend meetings as test subject matter expert to include TRRs, test planning, test documentation preparation, engineering briefs/debriefs, and will lead our team Through test execution.

The selected candidate will also:

  • Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives.
  • Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test, supervision, and direction to maintenance personnel for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test.
  • Analyze and interpret test data, provide recommendations to engineering and Leadership for alternate means of compliance as required, and support development and execution of test objectives.

“This is an individual contributor role that may be filled at the Principal or Senior Principal level based on the qualifications listed below”

Basic Qualifications for Principal Test Conductor:

  • Must have a High School Diploma and 9 years of related professional/military experience, OR Bachelor degree 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.
  • Must have experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment.
  • Be familiar with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection etc.
  • Be familiar with special test equipment, i.e. oscilloscopes, network analyzers etc.
  • Must have an active US Government Secret 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.
  • Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.

Basic Qualifications Sr. Principal Test Conductor:

  • Must have a High School Diploma and 12 years of related professional/military experience, OR Bachelor degree 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.
  • Must have experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment.
  • Be familiar with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection etc.
  • Be familiar with special test equipment, i.e. oscilloscopes, network analyzers etc.
  • Must have an active US Government Secret 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.
  • Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience as a Test Engineer that includes test planning, execution, and operations.
  • Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items and other test work documents
  • Experience with MES, FMT or other documentation systems
  • Active Program clearance.
  • Active Top-Secret clearance.

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.

Skills Required

  • High school diploma plus 9 years of related professional or military experience, or a bachelor's degree plus 5 years, or a master's degree plus 3 years, or a Ph.D. plus 1 year for the Principal level.
  • High school diploma plus 12 years of related professional or military experience, or a bachelor's degree plus 8 years, or a master's degree plus 6 years, or a Ph.D. plus 4 years for the Senior Principal level.
  • Experience in a system test and/or aircraft test or operational environment.
  • Familiarity with blueprints, engineering guidance, and data collection.
  • Familiarity with special test equipment, including oscilloscopes and network analyzers.
  • Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with a qualifying recent background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Ability to work multiple shifts, including 4x10 and 3x10 schedules.
  • Test engineering experience involving test planning, execution, and operations.
  • Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items, and other test work documents.
  • Experience with MES, FMT, or other documentation systems.
  • Active program clearance.
  • Active Top Secret clearance.

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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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.

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