Sr Principal Pilot Unmanned Air Vehicle
Job Description
The Triton - MQ-4C ITT (Integrated Test Team) is seeking a candidate to fill the role of AVO for the Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during developmental test and operational flights. 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 should have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills as well as oral and written communication skills. The selected candidate must be willing to work in a flexible work schedule that may include first or second shift, extended shifts, weekends and holidays.
Essential Functions:
• Remotely pilots Triton UAV to determine compliance with specification and operational suitability during engineering tests and flight test/demonstration support through specifically prescribed tests and maneuvers
• Defines, plans, organizes and executes complex flight profiles and flight test events in support of program milestones
• Conducts briefings and debriefings, and coordinates with maintenance personnel to analyze and correct vehicle discrepancies
• Act as NATOPS Instructor or Examiner as required
• Must successfully complete company UAV operator training and qualification program and receive GFR certification
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree with 9 Years experience or; Master's Degree with 7 years experience
• Current FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating and a minimum of 1,000 flight hours as pilot-in-command of a manned aircraft
• Must have at least 2,000 hours PC/PIC time (not in SUAS) or 500 hours in MQ-4.
• Current Class II or higher FAA medical certificate
• Must have an Interim DOD Top Secret clearance with an investigation in the last 6 years with the ability to obtain and retain a DOD Top Secret and SCI clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
• BS degree in Aviation or Aerospace
• Test Pilot School graduate
• P-3 or P-8 Military Flight Experience
• Qualified Global Hawk or Triton UAS Pilot
• Active DOD Top Secret clearance
• 200 hours of PC/PIC time during engineering flight test, and 10 hours during experimental flight test.
Primary Level Salary Range: $151,100.00 - $226,700.00The 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.
The Triton - MQ-4C ITT (Integrated Test Team) is seeking a candidate to fill the role of AVO for the Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during developmental test and operational flights. 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 should have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills as well as oral and written communication skills. The selected candidate must be willing to work in a flexible work schedule that may include first or second shift, extended shifts, weekends and holidays.
Essential Functions:
• Remotely pilots Triton UAV to determine compliance with specification and operational suitability during engineering tests and flight test/demonstration support through specifically prescribed tests and maneuvers
• Defines, plans, organizes and executes complex flight profiles and flight test events in support of program milestones
• Conducts briefings and debriefings, and coordinates with maintenance personnel to analyze and correct vehicle discrepancies
• Act as NATOPS Instructor or Examiner as required
• Must successfully complete company UAV operator training and qualification program and receive GFR certification
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree with 9 Years experience or; Master's Degree with 7 years experience
• Current FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating and a minimum of 1,000 flight hours as pilot-in-command of a manned aircraft
• Must have at least 2,000 hours PC/PIC time (not in SUAS) or 500 hours in MQ-4.
• Current Class II or higher FAA medical certificate
• Must have an Interim DOD Top Secret clearance with an investigation in the last 6 years with the ability to obtain and retain a DOD Top Secret and SCI clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
• BS degree in Aviation or Aerospace
• Test Pilot School graduate
• P-3 or P-8 Military Flight Experience
• Qualified Global Hawk or Triton UAS Pilot
• Active DOD Top Secret clearance
• 200 hours of PC/PIC time during engineering flight test, and 10 hours during experimental flight test.
Primary Level Salary Range: $151,100.00 - $226,700.00The 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.
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.
Northrop Grumman would like you to finish the application on their website.