Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector has an opening for a Sr. Principal Airworthiness Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position is based in Melbourne, FL.
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems in air and space that impact people’s lives around the world today, and for generations to come.
In an increasingly data-driven world, organizations must develop robust data strategies to harness the full potential of their data assets. A cohesive Airworthiness data strategy ensures that information is accurately consolidated and presented, streamlining the certification process, and enhancing regulatory compliance. When executed successfully, this process mitigates risks and can accelerate time-to-market for new aircraft.
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Airworthiness and Weapon Systems Cybersecurity (AWWSC) directorate, headquartered in in Melbourne, FL has an immediate opening for a ‘Sr. Principal Engineer – Airworthiness’ to lead digital standards development, digital engineering integration for Airworthiness, supporting our sector’s data strategy, and participating in associated industry policy development for digital standards and guidance.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
Lead the Northrop Grumman AWWSC’s digital standards effort in 4 key areas: 1) Shape digital standards 2) Support integration of the digital standards into the digital engineering environment 3) Develop related policy, both internal and external with participation with industry consortium groups 4) Subject matter expert for the Airworthiness Data Domain.
Participate in industry and government organizations that are developing digital standards products (e.g., specifications, guidance, handbooks, standards, Data Item Descriptions (DIDs)) published in machine-readable and machine-interpretable formats that enable use in digital tools and processes. This includes models and other standardized products that are not document-based.
Develop strategy to implement the Department of War’s (DoW) overall data strategy as well as the Digital Standards Strategy, dated January 2026.
Support digital modernization by providing overarching vision, focus areas, guiding principles, essential capabilities, and goals necessary to continue to transform the team into a digital-data-centric organization.
Support the data strategy and management of data within the Airworthiness and Weapon Systems Cybersecurity Engineering Center of Technical Excellence (AWWSC CoTE), to ensure adherence to governance practices, and serves as a liaison to the central data governance team and maintain up to date metadata entries, including data lineage and provenance information.
Conduct training and awareness sessions for engineers on data entry best practices, metadata capture, and governance procedures.
Capture feedback from data consumers and drive enhancements to data definitions, taxonomy extensions, and quality processes.
Identify data related risks in the domain and propose mitigation actions.
Ensure the logical and systematic realization of customer-related airworthiness requirements into system solutions to meet program objectives (e.g. Flight releases, Type Certification, Continued Airworthiness, and operational and airspace Integration).
Basic Qualifications:
Sr Principal: Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline with 8 years of related experience; OR Master of Science with 6 years of related experience; OR Ph.D. with 4 years of related experience
Experience communicating to high level stakeholders and executive level internal meeting facilitation
Experience with domestic or international standards development organizations
Experience working with information technology, data governance frameworks, metadata standards, or data stewardship programs in a regulated environment.
Familiarity with data catalog tools and basic concepts of taxonomy and ontology.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable of delivering clear guidance and conducting workshops for engineers.
Proven ability to work cross functionally with data architects, engineers, analysts, and senior leaders.
Ability to obtain U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company.
Preferred Qualifications:
Data Mesh Architecture or other roles and responsibilities associated with Data Management
Experience with Digital Standards development
Working knowledge of SQL, other database skills, and basic scripting
Development of, or creating, standards for artificial intelligence or machine learning (AI/ML)
Familiarity with the DoW acquisition process
Civil/Military aircraft development or modification experience
Familiarity of MIL-HDBK-516C
A current active U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP).
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline with 8 years of related experience OR Master of Science with 6 years OR Ph.D. with 4 years
- Experience communicating to high level stakeholders and executive level internal meeting facilitation
- Experience with domestic or international standards development organizations
- Experience working with information technology, data governance frameworks, metadata standards, or data stewardship programs in a regulated environment
- Familiarity with data catalog tools and basic concepts of taxonomy and ontology
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable of delivering clear guidance and conducting workshops for engineers
- Proven ability to work cross functionally with data architects, engineers, analysts, and senior leaders
- Ability to obtain U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher within a reasonable amount of time
- Data Mesh Architecture experience or related data management roles and responsibilities
- Experience with Digital Standards development
- Working knowledge of SQL, other database skills, and basic scripting
- Development of, or creating, standards for artificial intelligence or machine learning (AI/ML)
- Familiarity with the Department of War (DoW) acquisition process
- Civil/Military aircraft development or modification experience
- Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516C
- A current active U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP)
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.
