Principal Test Conductor / Senior Principal Test Conductor- Specializing in Aircraft Ground and Flight Test (SkillBridge DOD) Palmdale, CA

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.

This requisition may be filled at the higher grade based on requirements listed below.

As one of the largest global security companies in the world, Northrop Grumman is proud to help our nation's military personnel make the transition to civilian careers. Approximately 1/4th of Northrop Grumman's 90,000 employees self-identify as veterans, and more than 1,600 are reservists.

The Northrop Grumman Military Internship Program (NG-MIP) is an approved SkillBridge Program under Dept. of Defense Instruction 1322.29 .The NG-MIP program is an opportunity for transitioning service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through an individual internship during their last 6 months of service, for up to 180 days. The Northrop Grumman Military internship Program is open to all ranks and experience levels. SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from Northrop Grumman, as they continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active-duty service members .

Responsibilities for this internship position are:

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has developed the Northrop Grumman - Military Internship Program (DoD SKillbridge) utilizing the DoDI guidance for Skillbridge. During this program the service member will be on-site at his or her host company performing an individual internship in an entry to mid-level career type role. The service member will be on the job training supporting a work schedule equivalent to 40hrs per week. Outlined below are the Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for the program.

Goals - Provide transitioning service members fellowship-style job skills training during the last portion(s) of their military commitment. This program is specifically designed to offer internships that result in the potential to transition to a full-time opportunity as the conclusion of the training. Interns will serve as a pipeline for high-speed, motivated military candidates into NGC.

Objectives - Service Members who complete the Intern program will be highly-trained, capable, future employees that align to the specific needs of the organization and are prepared to meet the NG mission "Defining Possible" on Day 1. This program provides a comprehensive internship experience including professional development, networking with leadership, and training specifically focused on NG leadership principles, company history, customer/stakeholder engagement, product and service overview, and core job responsibilities.

Outcome - Offer transitioning service member a rewarding opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team.

DoD SkillBridge Eligibility:

  • Has served at least 180 days on active duty

  • Is within 12 months of separation or retirement

  • Will receive an honorable discharge

  • Has taken any service TAPS/TGPS

  • Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months

  • Received Unit Commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in DoD SkillBridge Program prior to start of internship.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for Principal Test Conductor / Senior Principal Test Conductor- Specializing in Aircraft Ground and Flight Test to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Systems Integration, Test and Evaluation (SIT&E) organization. This role is located in Palmdale, CA .

**This position may be filled by either a Principal Test Conductor level or a Senior Principal Test Conductor level based on the qualifications listed. **

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The System Test IPT is seeking a Test Conductor/Engineer for our Flight Test Department. Role will lead in the development of test plans, test schedules, and test procedures for testing. Will lead test card development and review in collaboration with other engineering disciplines and test operations personnel. Support test readiness reviews, and pre/post-test briefings. Provide mission control room support and makes real-time decisions regarding safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. Conducts and contributes to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution. Maintains metrics on status of testing and constraints.

This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. Individual will be required to serve as a principal subject matter focal point between maintenance, test operations - contractor and customer. Individual must be able to work without appreciable direction to develop solutions to complex problems; must be able to work both within a team environment and independently; must be self-motivated, thorough, and detailed; and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.

The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels.

Key responsibilities include :

  • Perform Test Conductor and Test Director Duties supporting multiple aircraft subsystems

  • Lead test events ranging from developmental to formal testing

  • Effectively assign roles and responsibilities to team members by clearly communicating test priorities and expectations

  • Establish and maintain standards of test conduct and rigor

  • Effectively manage system under test configuration through detailed documentation

  • Accurately communicate test status to leadership via written and oral means

  • Troubleshoot component and system level issues/discrepancies

T&E Flight Operations supports testing across multiple shifts. We offer flexible work arrangements, 4/10 work schedule with every Friday or Monday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to successfully lead teams to program milestones, help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

Basic Qualifications: Principal Test Conductor/Engineer:

  • A Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree). A minimum of 5 years of applicable experience with a BS or 3 years with a MS.

  • Sr Principal Test Conductor/Engineer: A Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree). A minimum of 5 years of applicable experience with a BS or 3 years with a MS.

  • Staff Test Conductor/Engineer: A Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree). A minimum of 14 years of applicable experience with a BS or 14 years with a MS.

  • A DoD Top Secret clearance as well as the ability to obtain and maintain a Special Program Access clearance.

  • Must have mission control room experience

  • Requires experience with test card development and review

  • Needs to be proficient in Microsoft Office

  • Role demands overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work to be occasionally be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • In depth knowledge of or test experience, to include control room monitoring

  • Familiarity with Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar system monitoring software.

  • Previous experience in Flight Test operations.

  • Military flight/operations experience highly desirable.

  • FAA rating highly desirable.

Salary Range: $79,700 - $119,500

Salary Range 2: $98,700 - $148,100

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority . The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/ .

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO . U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.

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