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Sr Principal Pilot Unmanned Air Vehicle

Patuxent River, MD

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 (NGAS) has an exciting career opportunity for a Sr. Principal Pilot Unmanned Air Vehicle to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in support of MQ-4C Triton program test and evaluation (T&E) activities as an Air Vehicle Operator (AVO). This is a work onsite position, located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD with up to 50% travel to support Production operations in Palmdale, CA.
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.PDN-9fb11fa5-ac36-4156-a42c-03312fa57d65
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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 (NGAS) has an exciting career opportunity for a Sr. Principal Pilot Unmanned Air Vehicle to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in support of MQ-4C Triton program test and evaluation (T&E) activities as an Air Vehicle Operator (AVO). This is a work onsite position, located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD with up to 50% travel to support Production operations in Palmdale, CA.
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.PDN-9fb11fa5-ac36-4156-a42c-03312fa57d65

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.

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Sr Principal Pilot Unmanned Air Vehicle
Northrop Grumman
Patuxent River, MD
Aug 22, 2025
$151,100 - $226,700 a year
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