Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Senior Principal Engineer Electrical to join the team of qualified individuals on our Test and Evaluation team. This role is located onsite in Melbourne, FL.
In this role, the successful candidate will act as an Operations Engineering Lead for Test & Evaluation’s systems test laboratories. Our team is responsible for the integration of aircraft systems and subsystems into a Lab environment supporting aircraft capabilities and functions. Utilizing systems and subsystems requirements, the candidate will assist in the development of lab requirements and procedures, execute integration activities in a lab environment, and evaluate mission systems functionality. Candidate must have strong technical background, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in-depth understanding of military aircraft functionality, and demonstrated lab integration experience with a modern software intensive mission systems architecture.
As a lab operations engineer, you will be responsible for development and execution of lab system procedures supporting testing of sequential software builds.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead test events ranging from developmental to formal testing
- Effectively assign roles and responsibilities to team members by clearly communicating test priorities and expectations
- Establish and maintain standards of test conduct and rigor
- Effectively manage lab configuration through detailed documentation
- Accurately communicate lab and test status to leadership via written and oral means
- Troubleshoot component and system level issues/discrepancies
We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 6 years of related professional/military experience OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience
- 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 a US Government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Must have experience working as an engineer in a system test lab environment
- Must have an understanding of mission systems to include RF and satellite communications, message processing, mission systems architecture, air vehicle systems, simulation environments, and/or networking.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current, active Top Secret clearance
- Security+ CE or ability to obtain
- Peer leadership and/or supplier management experience
- Experienced in reading and comprehending schematic diagrams
- Experienced using Test Equipment, such as digital multimeters, O-scopes, etc.
- Experienced with Electronic Principles (MIL-STD-1553, RS-232 & 422, ARINC 429, Ethernet & fiber)
- Familiarity with avionics systems and equipment
- Experience creating, editing and executing installation and checkout (IACO) or Acceptance Test procedures (ATP)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years related experience OR Master's in STEM with 6 years OR Ph.D. in STEM with 4 years
- Active US Government Secret clearance with background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP)
- Experience working as an engineer in a system test lab environment
- Understanding of mission systems including RF and satellite communications, message processing, mission systems architecture, air vehicle systems, simulation environments, and/or networking
- Current, active Top Secret clearance
- Security+ CE or ability to obtain
- Peer leadership and/or supplier management experience
- Ability to read and comprehend schematic diagrams
- Experience using test equipment (digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.)
- Experience with electronic principles and avionics protocols (MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422, ARINC 429, Ethernet & fiber)
- Familiarity with avionics systems and equipment
- Experience creating, editing, and executing IACO or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP)
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.








