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.Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman's Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a GNC Flight Test Lead Engineer - Level 5 located in Chandler, AZ, you'll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
   
This role defines and executes comprehensive flighttest strategies for guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems, handling test planning, resource allocation, and both HIL/SIL simulations through to fullscale flight campaigns. It collaborates closely with GNC engineers to develop and validate control laws, algorithms, and models, leveraging deep expertise in control theory, dynamics, sensorfusion techniques, and highfidelity simulation tools. Additionally, this role applies strong MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++ programming skills to analyze pre and postflight data, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous performance improvements.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Your Role and Impact:

• Test Planning and Strategy: Define comprehensive flight test strategies and prepare detailed test plans, objectives, and schedules, including identifying the required resources and test environment setup.
• System Integration & Testing: Oversee the integration and testing of GNC hardware and software, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations, software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing, and actual flight campaigns.
• Data Analysis and Validation: Analyze pre- and post-flight test data to evaluate compliance with requirements, troubleshoot anomalies, and identify areas for improvement.
• Algorithm and Software Development Support: Work closely with GNC design engineers to develop and refine flight control laws, algorithms, and models, often using tools like MATLAB/Simulink, C, or C++.
• Deep Understanding of GNC Theory: Expertise in control theory (linear, non-linear, adaptive, optimal), dynamics (rigid body, flight/orbital mechanics), and navigation algorithms (Kalman filters, sensor fusion, GPS).
• Simulation and Modeling Proficiency: Extensive experience developing and using high-fidelity simulations, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing environments.
• Programming and Software Skills: Proficient in numerical programming environments like MATLAB/Simulink and Python, as well as experience with real-time, safety-critical embedded programming in languages like C/C++.
• Data Analysis: Strong ability to analyze pre-flight system performance assessments and post-flight test data to refine algorithms, troubleshoot issues, and verify system performance.
• Other duties as assigned
Why you? You're the candidate we're searching for if you are ready to achieve the impossible alongside like-minded innovators.
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 12 years of professional experience - OR - Master's degree with 10 years of professional experience - OR - PhD with 8 years of professional experience.  Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Requires an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
• Experience designing, tuning, implementing, and testing guidance algorithms and autopilot parameters for guided missiles and/or interceptors.
• Previous experience in designing, implementing, and testing missile autopilot systems. Including exposure to multiple control system schemes for guided missiles and linear stability analysis.
• Strong understanding of missile control systems, including classical and modern control theory.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining analysis tools in C++, MATLAB and Python
• Proficiency in C++ development in a Linux environment
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python toolchains
 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience working with GNC algorithms for hypersonic missiles
• Experience with AEGIS weapon system
• Experience with IR discrimination and tracking
• Familiarity with state estimation and state propagation techniques
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
[https://www.northropgrumman.com/space](https://www.northropgrumman.com/space)
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
[Northrop Grumman Total Rewards](https://totalrewards.northropgrumman.com/?_gl=11y2u5rc_gcl_auMTkyMjcyNDUxNS4xNzUyNTg4MDg3_gaMzA4NDM5NjgzLjE2NzM5ODM3ODg._ga_7YV3CDX0R2*czE3NTMyNzU3NDgkbzEyMzckZzEkdDE3NTMyNzY2ODQkajU5JGwwJGgw) 
Primary Level Salary Range: $147,700.00 - $221,500.00The 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-a0561231-38d5-477e-922f-341b18835596