Principal/Sr Principal Flight Test Engineer-Ground Navigation & Controls (GNC)
Northrop Grumman
- Location
- United States-California-Edwards AFB
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Principal
- Posted
- Sep 4, 2026
Skills
About this role
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: 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. This position will be supporting one or more aircraft platforms within our Strike portfolio and will be 100% on-site at Edwards AFB, CA. Overview of Responsibilities and Expectations: • Interface with design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements. • Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program. • Support and host test planning working groups across multiple disciplines. • Perform technical analysis of complete systems and prepares comprehensive system level evaluations. • Develop detailed test plans, safety plans, test schedules, and test procedures for developmental testing. • Support test card development and review cycles with other engineering disciplines and test operations. • Support test readiness reviews, pre/post-test briefings and other reviews for senior leadership. • Provide control room support and make real-time decisions regarding safety, effectiveness and efficiency. • Conduct and contributes to pre/post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution. • Maintain metrics on status of testing and issues constraining test. • Demonstrate outstanding written and oral communications skills. • Serve as subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, contractors and customers. • Work under only general direction to determine and develop approaches to solutions. • Be able to work both within a team environment and independently. • Be self-motivated, thorough, detailed, and willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas. • Ability to maintain control room qualification • Be proficient in Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS). • Work overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work occasionally. This requisition may be filled at either a Principal or a Sr. Principal 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. • Must have an active US Government 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. 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. • Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). • Must