Northrop Grumman Header

Principal/Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer

Edwards AFB, CA

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE 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/Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. 
The position will be in Edwards AFB.

• 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.
• 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)
• 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 Qualification:
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal Flight Test Engineering level.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Flight Test Engineer:

• 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
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance as well as the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Program Access clearance.
• Flight Test Experience
Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer:

• 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
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance as well as the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Program Access clearance.
• Flight Test Experience
Preferred Qualifications: 

• In depth knowledge of or test experience, to include control room monitoring.
• Top Secret clearance
• Experience with guidance, navigation and control or flying qualities experience in a control room environment.
• Experience with human factors, lighting, and/or acoustics testing.
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00Secondary 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.PDN-a0682d3e-d1db-4c36-a1db-f49a904e7bf5
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE 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/Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. 
The position will be in Edwards AFB.

• 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.
• 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)
• 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 Qualification:
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal Flight Test Engineering level.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Flight Test Engineer:

• 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
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance as well as the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Program Access clearance.
• Flight Test Experience
Basic Qualifications for Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer:

• 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
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret or Top-Secret clearance as well as the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Program Access clearance.
• Flight Test Experience
Preferred Qualifications: 

• In depth knowledge of or test experience, to include control room monitoring.
• Top Secret clearance
• Experience with guidance, navigation and control or flying qualities experience in a control room environment.
• Experience with human factors, lighting, and/or acoustics testing.
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00Secondary 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.PDN-a0682d3e-d1db-4c36-a1db-f49a904e7bf5

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip out customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our nearly 100,000 employees contribute to launching the technology of tomorrow, today.

© 2025 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.

Related Jobs

Apply For This Job
Principal/Senior Principal Flight Test Engineer
Northrop Grumman
Edwards AFB, CA
Nov 21, 2025
$103,600 - $155,400 a year
Your Information
First Name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
This email belongs to another account. Please use a diferent email address or Sign In.
Zip Code *
Password *
Confirm Password *
Create your Profile from your Resume
By clicking the Apply button, you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and consent to receive emails from us about job opportunities, career resources, and other relevant updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Ace your interview with
AI-powered interview practice

Get comfortable talking to hiring managers, receive personalized feedback on areas for improvement, sharpen your ability to answer the most common questions, and build confidence in formulating strong responses on the spot. Click the button below to begin your three free virtual interviews!

©2025 International Association of Women.
Powered by TalentAlly.