Principal/Sr Principal Ground Test Engineer

  • Northrop Grumman
  • Palmdale, California
  • Full Time
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description 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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal / Sr. Principal Systems ground Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Special Test Equipment organization. This role is located in Palmdale, CA .

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Plan, schedule and conduct test events, Lead team of technicians and engineers during test execution. Author work authorizations (TWS, Prep Items, etc) for test and troubleshooting purposes. Work with Responsible Engineers (REs) and System Test Engineers (STE) to develop test procedures, perform test article operations in a production environment. Attend meetings as test subject matter expert to include TRRs, test planning, test documentation preparation, engineering briefs/debriefs, and will lead our team Through test execution.

The selected candidate will also:

  • Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives.
  • Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test, supervision, and direction to maintenance personnel for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test.
  • Analyze and interpret test data, provide recommendations to engineering and Leadership for alternate means of compliance as required, and support development and execution of test objectives.

This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.

Basic Qualifications

This is an individual contributor role that may be filled at the Principal or Senior Principal level based on the qualifications listed below

Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer Systems Test:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree AND 5 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience OR a Ph.D. AND 0 years of related professional/military experience
  • Must have experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment
  • Be familiar with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection etc.
  • Be familiar with special test equipment, i.e. oscilloscopes, network analyzers etc
  • 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.
  • Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.
  • Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.

Basic Qualifications Sr. Principal Engineer Systems Test:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree AND 8 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree AND 7 years of related professional/military experience OR a Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience
  • Must have experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment
  • Be familiar with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection etc.
  • Be familiar with special test equipment, i.e. oscilloscopes, network analyzers etc
  • 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.
  • Must be able to work multiple shifts when required: 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 4X10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st shift. 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 2nd shift.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience as a Test Engineer that includes test planning, execution, and operations.
  • Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items and other test work documents
  • Experience with MES, FMT or other documentation systems
  • Active Program clearance.
  • Active Top-Secret clearance.
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Job ID: 523537496
Originally Posted on: 6/3/2026

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