Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an immediate opening for a Flight, Ground and/or Safety Operations subject matter expert (SME) for the Flight & Ground Operations Standardization Team (FGOST). This position supports the Test and Evaluation (T&E) Center of Technical Excellence (CoTE) through execution of internal evaluations and procedural management for safety AND flight & ground ops. This leadership role is located on-site, based at one of the following locations: Melbourne, FL, Palmdale, CA, Rancho Bernardo, CA, OR Oklahoma City, OK.
This position requires a highly experienced SME in the field of flight ground and/or safety operations and must possess expert knowledge of DCMA 8210.1 series, FAA Part 91, NGAS requirements and processes operations requirements as it applies to all NGAS programs and fielded operations. This position will ensure all aspects of flight, ground and safety operations are standardized across the NGAS sector. This individual is expected to be qualified to evaluate programs, and promote a new paradigm with a governance model that establishes oversight of all NGAS Operations. This position is located full-time onsite; remote/hybrid options are not available. Requires approximately 50% travel globally.
Duties include process lead and instructor duties. As the FGOST Process Lead with oversight and management of the flight test operations database for all flight programs. Serves as liaison between Principles & Operating Practices (PrOP) Focal Points, PrOP Analyst, FGOST, Technical Disciplines, Site and Program Leadership, customer, and Government Flight Representative (GFR) for Flight Ground Contractor Operations Procedures (FGCOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Mishap Response Plans (MRPs), and Reference Documents. Instructor duties include becoming qualified to teach the use of the Safety Management System (SMS) and Safe & Just Culture.
Additional job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Represent NGAS as the flight ground or safety operations SME at government and Industry working groups
Audit Flight Programs and fielded operations annually, in accordance with DCMA 8210.1, FAA Part 91 and NGAS requirements relating to flight operations.
Assist the programs and sites with resolution to audit findings; track and ensure closure.
Conduct trend analysis for Flight Test and fielded operations audits, and work with the working groups on developing, implementing, and driving process improvements applicable to all Flight Test and fielded operations.
Assist programs during GFR and AOI audits, and ensure programs appropriately respond to any resultant corrective actions
Support all Working Groups activities
Participate in NG Airworthiness Working Groups
Participate as a lead or team member with NGAS Flight or Ground Operations-related CPATS, CARs, RCCA and IRTs
Manage all FGCOP, SOP, & MRPs
Serve as FGOST representative supporting PrOP reviews, updates, cancellations to NGAS and Corporate procedures
Supports FGCOP/SOP/MRP document owners through notification of reference documents requiring updates/review.
Provides up-to date tracking and status management of FGCOP/SOP/MRP and referenced documentation for NGAS
Manage Technical Operations Data Base including all FGCOPs, SOPs, MRPs, & Reference Documents
Conduct trend analysis for all NGAS Flight Test and fielded operations audits, and work with the Flight Test Technical Discipline to develop, implement and drive process improvements applicable to all NGAS Flight Test and fielded operations.
Aviation Safety Official. Leading and implementing the Safety Management System
Basic Qualifications Staff Engineer Systems Test:
Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 12 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 10 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 Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance
Experience in aircraft maintenance, flight ops, flight test engineering or flight safety
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
Preferred Qualifications:
Current TS/SCI and SAP clearances
U.S. Military flight operations, maintenance, quality, test experience or safety
Fluent with DCMA & DoD regulations and procedures
Prior DCMA experience (GFR or GGR)
Experience building intranet websites or databases for information, collaboration, and project tracking
Experience in Safety Management Systems
Expert level knowledge of MS Office apps and Project to create reports, metrics development and tracking, present data to executives, management, and line personnel
Excellent vertical & horizontal communication skills
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline AND 12 years related professional/military experience, OR Master's degree AND 10 years related professional/military experience
- Active US Government Secret clearance with background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance
- Experience in aircraft maintenance, flight operations, flight test engineering, or flight safety
- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
- Position located full-time onsite at specified NGAS locations (Melbourne FL; Palmdale CA; Rancho Bernardo CA; Oklahoma City OK)
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with government clearance)
- Current TS/SCI and SAP clearances
- U.S. Military flight operations, maintenance, quality, test experience or safety
- Fluent with DCMA & DoD regulations and procedures
- Prior DCMA experience (GFR or GGR)
- Experience building intranet websites or databases for information, collaboration, and project tracking
- Experience in Safety Management Systems
- Expert-level knowledge of MS Office applications and Microsoft Project for reporting and metrics
- Excellent vertical and horizontal communication skills
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.







