Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal/Senior Principal Test Conductor to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This position will be located in Edwards AFB, CA.
The Test conductor will plan and coordinate test operations as an approved test conductor both on and off an active flight line. They will prepare test worksheets, lead engineering briefs, and direct a mixed team of engineers and technicians through ground test events. During launch and recovery operations, the GTE serves as the operational link between maintenance, engineering, mission control, and the pilots.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute ground test procedures and support active flight line testing.
- Conduct preflight and postflight power on checks.
- Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, and modifications to systems under test.
- Provide 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.
- Coordinate with support organizations in the execution and planning of a developmental test program.
- Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives.
- The selected candidate must be willing and able to work various shifts depending on the business needs: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st or 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 1st shift or 2nd shift.
- The selected candidate must be willing to support extended hours, shift rotations, weekends, and holidays as needed. The candidate must also be willing to travel domestically to support testing operations.
“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 US Government Top Secret clearance.
- 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 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 US Government Top Secret clearance.
- 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:
- Current active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance
- Experience as a Test Engineer or Test Conductor (includes test development, planning, and execution)
- Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items, and other test work documents
- Experience with MES, FMT, or other documentation systems
Skills Required
- High school diploma and 9 years of related professional or military experience, or bachelor's degree and 5 years, or master's degree and 3 years, or Ph.D. and 1 year for the Principal level.
- High school diploma and 12 years of related professional or military experience, or bachelor's degree and 8 years, or master's degree and 6 years, or Ph.D. and 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 such as oscilloscopes and network analyzers.
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with a recent background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Top Secret clearance.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance.
- Ability to work multiple shifts, weekends, holidays, extended hours, and shift rotations.
- Experience as a Test Engineer or Test Conductor, including test development, planning, and execution.
- Experience with test worksheets, prep items, and other test documentation.
- Experience with MES, FMT, or other documentation systems.
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 — Retirement plans with a company 401(k) match are emphasized as a strong part of total compensation. These offerings are portrayed as especially valuable for long-term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical insurance is complemented by wellness programs and related support, contributing to a comprehensive benefits package. Health coverage is frequently regarded as a core strength of the offering.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous paid time off and, at many locations, compressed 9/80 schedules support work-life balance with regular time away. Availability can vary by site and role, but where offered these arrangements are considered attractive.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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