Principal​/Sr Principal Ground Test Engineer

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance may be available.

Requires Secret clearance. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

10% of the time.

Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Ground Test Engineer located in Palmdale, CA. Responsibilities include planning, scheduling, and conducting test events; leading teams of technicians and engineers during test execution; authoring work authorizations (TWS, Prep Items, etc.); working with Responsible Engineers and System Test Engineers to develop test procedures; performing test article operations in a production environment; attending meetings as a test subject matter expert;

and supporting data processing and analysis.

• Plan, schedule, and conduct test events.
• Lead teams of technicians and engineers during test execution.
• Author work authorizations (TWS, Prep Items, etc.) for test and troubleshooting.
• Develop test procedures in collaboration with Responsible Engineers and System Test Engineers.
• Perform test article operations in a production environment.
• Attend meetings as a test subject matter expert (TRRs, test planning, documentation, engineering briefs/debriefs).
• Lead team through test execution.
• Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis.
• Provide first‑line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, and modifications.
• Analyze and interpret test data, recommend alternate means of compliance, and support test objectives.

• BS with 5 years of related professional/military experience OR MS with 3 years OR PhD with 0 years.
• Experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment.
• Familiarity with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection, and special test equipment.
• Active US Government Secret clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance.
• Must be able to work multiple shifts as required.

• BS with 8 years of related professional/military experience OR MS with 7 years OR PhD with 4 years.
• Experience in a system test and/or aircraft test/operational environment.
• Familiarity with blueprints, engineering guidance, data collection, and special test equipment.
• Active US Government Secret clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance.
• Must be able to work multiple shifts as required.

• Experience as a Test Engineer that includes test planning, execution, and operations.
• Experience with Test Work Sheets, Prep Items, and other test work documents.
• Experience with MES, FMT, or other documentation systems.
• Active Program clearance.
• Active Top‑Secret clearance.

Primary Level: $ – $. Secondary Level: $ – $.

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and Long Term Incentives for VP/Director positions. Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, paid time off, and other standard benefits.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance. For complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit