Staff Systems Engineer - Flight Test Director

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems' Engineering & Science (E&S) Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) division is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to serve as a Flight Test Director and join our team of qualified, diverse individuals; and to work on exciting new opportunities within the Integration and Test Directorate. This position will be located onsite in Baltimore, MD with travel to customer integration sites.

General Responsibilities for a Flight Test Director:

• Serve as the Flight Test Director with overall responsibility for planning, coordinating, and executing safe and effective flights. Generate test cards and execute testing at customer sites. Achieves the logical and systematic realization of test goals in accordance with governing documentation (MIL-HDBK-516C and NAVAIR Instruction 13034.1F / G) and programmatic goals.
• Apply extensive technical expertise with full knowledge of related disciplines and communicates effectively, clearly presenting technical approaches and findings.
• Lead a multi-disciplined team through design, fabrication, test planning, installation, test execution, operation, and maintenance. Coordinates with multiple customers and government entities to develop flight tests that achieve a variety of internal and external goals.
• Review functional analysis, timeline analysis, detailed trade studies, requirements allocation, interface definitions, and hardware and software specifications for airworthiness compliance to the appropriate regulations, standards, and/or guidelines.
• Work with minimal direction, exercising considerable latitude in determining technical objectives of assignments. Completed work is reviewed from a long- term perspective for achievement of desired results.
• Perform technical airworthiness planning and verification support, including development and negotiation of airworthiness plans, basis of certifications, means of compliance, and certification activities for complex total systems with IPT/REs as well as customer counterparts.
• Guide the successful completion of major programs and, as required, function in a project leadership role. Recognize that erroneous decisions or recommendations could result in failure to achieve major organizational objectives.
• Represent the organization as the prime technical contact on contracts and projects. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the customer and government, supporting regular status briefings, milestone reviews, and deliverable coordination. Interface internally with Program IPTs and Program Management.
• Support the selection, onboarding, and oversight of suppliers and contractors, ensuring delivery of key work packages on time and to specification.
• Occasionally (up to 50% of the time) operate out of customer locations (typically military test centers; domestically only, no overseas travel anticipated).

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline with 12 years of related experience OR Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 10 years of related experience or a PhD in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related experience. 4+ years of relevant operator or test experience may be considered in lieu of a degree on a case-by-case basis.
• Work experience on manned or unmanned aircraft systems with minimum 10 years professional experience, including at least 4 years in an assignment working Airworthiness (Military or Civil) or Test (Military or Civil).
• Experience leading the development of, or being a major contributor to an Unmanned Airborne System (UAS) test program, including the development of test cards.
• Experience leading large, multi-disciplined teams consisting of a diverse range of skillsets and technical specialties.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving issues on test aircraft in both field and lab environments.
• Test and operations experience with UAS.
• ​Active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment into Continuous Evaluation).

Preferred Qualifications:

• NAVAIR Airworthiness and Cybersafe Office (formerly 4.0P) Airworthiness Experience.
• Experience performing the role of Flight Test Conductor for UAS or manned aircraft operations.

• Experience with Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) and / or Vehicle Control Functions (VCF).
• Military aircraft development or modification experience, particularly with US Navy and Marine Corps platforms.
• Ability to initiate Airworthiness Certification process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with CAT2 or CAT1 UAS systems through operations or test.
• Design and Systems Engineering experience in one or more of the following areas: Flight Technology, Avionics, Mission Payload Integration, Flight Test.
• Experience with MIL-HDBK-516C and MIL-STD-882E.
• Familiarity with NAVAIR Instruction 13034.1F / .1G.
• Familiarity with System Safety Risk Assessments (SSRA), program risks and hazard analyses.
• Licensed Part 107 sUAS Pilot.
• The ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

This position is contingent upon successful transfer of Secret Clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.