Principal/Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer - Fuel
Northrop Grumman· Defense· Sep 18, 2026 · 1mo ago
United States-California-Edwards AFB
In office
Full-time
Principal
$168K–$230K est.
5+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: 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 / Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization.
This position will be supporting one or more aircraft platforms.
The position will be 100% on-site at Edwards AFB, CA.
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal level.
• The candidate will develop and publish Integrated Test Plans, detailed test plans, test schedules, and test procedures for developmental testing.
• Provide laboratory support for integration testing.
• Support and host test planning working groups.
• Interface with test article design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements.
• Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program.
• Perform technical analysis of complete systems and prepares comprehensive system level evaluations.
• Support test card development and review in collaboration with other engineering disciplines and test operations personnel.
• Support test readiness reviews, and pre/post-test briefings.
• Provide mission control room support and makes real-time decisions regarding safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Conduct and contributes to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution. Maintains metrics on status of testing and constraints.
• This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. Individual will be required to serve as either a principal subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, and test site team - contractor and customer.
• Individual must be able to work under only general direction to determine and develop approaches to solutions; must be able to work both within a team environment and independently; must be self-motivated, thorough, and detailed; and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS).
• Ability to maintain control room qualification.
• Overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work will occasionally be required.
This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal:
• A Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
• A minimum of 5 years of applicable experience with a BS Degree or 3 years with a MS degree in STEM Field.
• 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.
Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal:
• A Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
• A minimum of 8 years of applicable experience with a BS Degree or 6 years with a MS degree in STEM Field.
• 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with Fuels systems
• Experience in control room operations
• Experience in test
• Top Secret clearance
Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00
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 northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
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Benefits
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Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off