Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an exciting career opportunity for a Systems Test Engineer/ Principal System Test Engineer to join the Ground Segment team of qualified, diverse individuals in support of the MQ-4C Triton program test activities. This position will be located at NAS (Naval Air Station) Patuxent River, MD.
The Triton – MQ-4C ITT (Integrated & Test Team) is a US Navy & Northrop Grumman combined test team working together to ensure future capabilities are tested and evaluated in an efficient manner. The selected candidate will perform a variety of data collection and technical support services on the Triton Air vehicle and Ground Control Stations; and support the research and procurement of MQ-4C unmanned air vehicle components in direct support of life cycle sustainment.
Responsibilities include:
- Interfacing with NGAS and customer Flight Test Engineers, Flight Test Conductors, Flight Crews, Ground Operations Technicians, and software development.
- Interface between the US Navy and Northrop Grumman Ground Segment System Administrators, Responsible Engineers, Network Engineers, and Flight Test Engineers.
Responsibilities include:
- Interfacing with NGAS and customer Flight Test Engineers, Flight Test Conductors, Flight Crews, Ground Operations Technicians, and software development.
- Interface between the US Navy and Northrop Grumman Ground Segment System Administrators, Responsible Engineers, Network Engineers, and Flight Test Engineers.
Essential Functions:
- Will act as a System Test Engineer, reporting to the PAX Triton ITT Ground Segment Manager for all ground segment related engineer testing, troubleshooting, and evaluation.
- Responsible for engineering test execution/evaluation of system functional requirements to include Detailed Test Requirements, Acceptance Test Procedures, Request For Test (RFTs), and ground/flight test events.
- Interface with multidiscipline team in the evaluation of new engineering modifications.
- Provide engineering support for computing system deficiencies requiring team interaction with network, software, system engineers, systems administrators, and aircrew personnel.
- Provide engineering level evaluation and reach back support for Triton Program Ground Segments as needed.
- Provides analysis/feedback during engineering modification, maintenance, and ad hoc test planning.
- Prepares Test Variances and Test Worksheets in accordance with engineering direction.
- Responsible for providing engineering adjudication for Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals.
- Develops strategies/improvements for test efficiency.
- The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels.
- The selected candidate will need either to be located at NAS Patuxent River or be willing to relocate to the NAS Patuxent River area.
- Up to 25% of travel to support business needs in our CONUS and OCUNUS locations.
*This position may be filled at either level depending on experience*
Basic Qualifications for System Test Engineer:
- A Bachelors Degree in a STEM discipline with 2 years of experience; or a STEM Master's degree with 0 years of experience
Basic Qualifications for Principal System Test Engineer:
- A Bachelors Degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of experience; or a Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of experience or a PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of experience.
Basic Qualifications for Both Levels:
- Must have an active U.S Government Secret clearance that is in-scope or currently enrolled in CE, with the ability to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time to meet business needs
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active CI Polygraph within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Program Access within a reasonable amount of time for business needs
- Experience with Windows and Linux Operating Systems
- Ability to work odd shifts and occasional overtime as needed
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active TS/SCI/CI Poly clearance
- Experience testing and evaluating computing systems in a networked environment
- Currently valid Security+ CE, CASP, CISSP or similar security certification
- Windows/Linux domain architecture experience
- Windows AD, LDAP, VMWare, and knowledge of SAN storage systems
- Rudimentary Scripting experience
- Familiarity with XML, Java, C, and C#
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, with internal and external customers, in written and oral format.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 2 years of experience
- Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 0 years of experience
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of experience (Principal level)
- Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of experience (Principal level)
- PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of experience (Principal level)
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance in-scope or currently enrolled in CE
- Ability to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time
- Ability to obtain and maintain a CI Polygraph within a reasonable amount of time
- Ability to obtain and maintain Program Access
- Experience with Windows and Linux operating systems
- Ability to work odd shifts and occasional overtime as needed
- Willingness to relocate to or be located at NAS Patuxent River, MD
- Up to 25% travel to CONUS and OCONUS locations
- Active TS/SCI/CI Poly clearance
- Experience testing and evaluating computing systems in a networked environment
- Security+ CE, CASP, CISSP or similar security certification
- Windows/Linux domain architecture experience
- Windows AD, LDAP, VMWare, and SAN storage systems experience
- Rudimentary scripting experience
- Familiarity with XML, Java, C, and C#
- Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral format at all levels
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.
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