Staff Test Engineer (Weapon Systems)

Employer description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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 is seeking an experienced Staff Flight Test Engineer – Weapons Lead to support advanced weapon-system test efforts. This role serves as the senior technical lead for weapons flight test planning, execution, integration, data analysis, and functions as a primary liaison between design engineering, maintenance, test operations, program leadership, and customer representatives.

The selected candidate will provide technical leadership within a Combined Test Force (CTF) environment at Edwards AFB, CA, and across multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to drive completion of complex aircraft weapon-system test objectives. The Weapons Lead will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence, apply advanced flight test and weapons integration knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to highly complex technical and programmatic challenges.

Position Overview

The Staff Flight Test Engineer – Weapons Lead is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of developmental and operationally relevant test activities associated with aircraft weapon systems. This position requires advanced expertise in the functional design integration of weapon systems, with in-depth knowledge of Stores Management System (SMS) and Suspension & Release Equipment (S&RE) hardware and software, as well as familiarity with governing interface and integration standards such as MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, and the Universal Armament Interface (UAI).

The successful candidate will also possess a broad systems-level understanding of aircraft subsystems and their interaction with mission execution, pilot-vehicle interface, maintenance operations, and test support infrastructure. This individual will act as a senior advisor and spokesperson for weapons test matters, influencing technical direction, test strategy, and risk posture across the organization.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment with demanding technical expectations, diverse assignments, and extensive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

Lead all phases of weapons integration test activity, including research, requirements analysis, test design, data collection planning, execution oversight, troubleshooting, and post-test evaluation.Develop and direct preparation of comprehensive test plans, integrated test strategies, detailed test procedures, and schedules for complex weapon-system ground and flight test missions.Serve as the lead technical authority for weapon-system flight test execution, ensuring test objectives, instrumentation, safety considerations, and data requirements are fully aligned with program and customer expectations.Work from and evaluate engineering artifacts such as Software Requirements Packages, Interface Control Documents, Performance-Based Specifications, architecture products, and other technical instructions to ensure test completeness and technical accuracy.Solve unusually complex technical and integration problems involving weapon-system hardware, software, interfaces, and aircraft/platform interactions; develop innovative and practical solutions to achieve mission and program objectives.Provide real-time control room support and technical direction during ground and flight test missions, including decision-making related to test conduct, anomaly response, and mission execution priorities.Lead post-flight data review, technical analysis, discrepancy resolution, and reporting activities; provide clear system-level evaluations and recommendations to leadership and customer stakeholders.Act as the focal point for communication between test operations, design engineering, maintenance, program leadership, and government customers on weapons-related test matters.Advise management and customers on test strategy, technical risk, integration concerns, and capability development for current and future weapon-system applications.Contribute to the development of advanced test methodologies, best practices, and technical approaches that improve organizational effectiveness and support long-range program objectives.Mentor less-experienced engineers and contribute to the growth of technical capability within the weapons test organization.  

Basic Qualifications for Staff Flight Test Engineer:

Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND at least 12 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and at least 10 years of relevant experience.Must have an active US Government DoD 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. Willingness to work overtime, odd-hour shifts, and occasional weekends in support of flight test schedules.Significant experience in flight test, weapon-system integration, mission systems, or military aircraft developmental test.Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical efforts with minimal oversight and to coordinate effectively across diverse functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications

Current active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance.Extensive direct experience in flight testing weapon systems and/or mission systems on military aircraft.Advanced working knowledge of weapons integration, payload systems, SMS, S&RE, and associated aircraft interfaces.Demonstrated familiarity with MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, UAI, and related weapon-system integration standards.Prior experience working in classified flight test environments and implementing Safety Management System processes for flight test operations.Familiarity with USAF 412th Test Wing processes and Combined Test Force operations.Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience briefing senior leadership, government customers, and cross-functional technical teams.Proven ability to serve as a senior technical advisor, lead integrated test activities, and influence technical direction across programs.Applies electrical, electronic and mechanical principles to components and systems, including assembly, analysis, and documentation of results; construction of developmental assemblies, sub-assemblies and components; and quality testing. Supports and participates in the design, test, modification, fabrication and assembly of prototype electromechanical systems.

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.