Flight Test Lead (staff Engineer Aeronautical)

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Melbourne, FL +1 · Mechanical

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Flight Test Lead (Staff Engineer Aeronautical) to develop Mission Systems and Air Vehicle Flight Test strategies. This role involves leading engineering teams in planning and executing ground and flight test programs for aircraft, including verification of airworthiness, performance, and mission effectiveness. Responsibilities include developing test plans, procedures, analyzing test data, and providing mission control room support. The position requires extensive aviation engineering and flight test experience, strong leadership, and communication skills, with a Secret clearance required.

What you'd actually do

  1. Develops and publishes detailed test plans, test schedules, and test procedures for developmental testing.
  2. Plan, develop, and perform flight tests to verify air worthiness, performance capabilities, and mission effectiveness using various simulators, surrogate aircraft, test-bed aircraft, and the program air vehicle.
  3. Performs technical analysis of complete systems and prepares comprehensive system level evaluations.
  4. Supports test readiness reviews, and pre/post-test briefings.
  5. Provides mission control room support and makes real-time decisions regarding safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 12 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 10 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 8 years of related professional/military experience
  • Ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. government Secret clearance
  • Ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final U.S. adjudicated government Top Secret clearance
  • Experience in flight test and aircraft operations
  • Thorough knowledge of flight test planning, safety planning, test operations, and test reporting
  • Leadership experience on a DoD acquisition or test program
  • Strong ability to communicate complex technical issues and solutions
  • Willing to work extended shifts, weekends, and holidays as required by the company to meet program schedule and objectives.

Nice to have

  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • 25% travel
  • flexible work arrangements
  • 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off

What the JD emphasized

  • Secret clearance
  • Secret clearance
  • flight test
  • flight test
  • flight test planning
  • test operations
  • test reporting
  • flight test safety planning
  • test operations
  • test reporting