Principal / Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer - Air Data / Performance
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 and will be 100% on-site at Edwards AFB, CA .
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal level.
Overview of Responsibilities and Expectations:
• Interface with design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements.
• Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program.
• Support and host test planning working groups across multiple disciplines.
• Perform technical analysis of complete systems and prepares comprehensive system level evaluations.
• Develop detailed test plans, safety plans, test schedules, and test procedures for developmental testing.
• Support test card development and review cycles with other engineering disciplines and test operations.
• Support test readiness reviews, pre/post-test briefings and other reviews for senior leadership.
• Provide control room support and make real-time decisions regarding safety, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Conduct and contributes to pre/post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution.
• Maintain metrics on status of testing and issues constraining test.
• Demonstrate outstanding written and oral communications skills.
• Serve as subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, contractors and customers.
• Work under only general direction to determine and develop approaches to solutions.
• Be able to work both within a team environment and independently.
• Be self-motivated, thorough, detailed, and willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.
• Ability to maintain control room qualification.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS).
• Work overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work occasionally.
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 in Air Data
• Experience in Performance/Predictions
• Experience in Flight or Ground Test
• Experience in Control Room Monitoring
• Proficiency in MATLAB
• Proficiency in IADS
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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Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off