Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Senior Principal Engineer Systems to join the team of qualified individuals on our Test and Evaluation organization. This role is located onsite in Melbourne, FL.
In this role, the successful candidate will lead within a capture Test & Evaluation organization. This role reports to the Engineering Integration & Execution (EI&E) Test Department Manager on the program. This is an individual contributor role and will not have direct reports.
Candidate will support all test activities, including test planning, defining test scope, establishing test processes, and developing system test plans and laboratory design/operations. The individual will also contribute to writing technical volumes, story boarding proposal strategies for testing, and creating other capture effort documentation, while planning the execution of a test program post award. Candidate shall display professionalism, leadership, have a strong work ethic, work well with others, and be able to function as member of a dynamic Test Team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Development and peer review of test documentation
- Development and proposal test documentation and technical volumes
- Decomposition of program and system requirements into test requirements
- Development of Specialty, Lab, Ground, Test Programs
- Definition of test facility requirements.
- Participate in test planning
The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels.
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 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) 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 year of related professional/military experience.
Your ability to transfer and maintain the final 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.
Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final U.S. adjudicated government Top Secret clearance
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:
Active Top Secret Clearance
Experience with T&E processes and procedures to support both management and engineering tasks at the Melbourne site
Automated Test Experience
Experience working as an engineer in a system test lab environment
Experience creating, editing and executing installation and checkout (IACO) procedures
Skills Required
- STEM degree: Bachelor's +8 years OR Master's +6 years OR Ph.D. +4 years of related professional/military experience.
- Ability to transfer and maintain final adjudicated U.S. government Secret clearance (in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and program access within a reasonable period.
- Ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final U.S. adjudicated government Top Secret clearance.
- Understanding of mission systems including RF and satellite communications, message processing, mission systems architecture, air vehicle systems, simulation environments, and/or networking.
- Active Top Secret Clearance.
- Experience with T&E processes and procedures to support both management and engineering tasks.
- Automated Test experience.
- Experience working as an engineer in a system test lab environment.
- Experience creating, editing, and executing installation and checkout (IACO) procedures.
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.





