Principal Flight Test Engineer - Mission Planner

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE : Relocation assistance may be available

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 Principal Flight Test Engineer – Mission Planner to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization on the Flight Test Operations (FTO) team. This position will be located in Palmdale, CA.

The selected candidate will synthesize customer contractual needs and requirements into system test solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule and cost constraints. Tasking will include developmental flight test mission planning, ground / flight testing, fielding, and possible Programmed Depot Maintenance missions for multiple platforms as required using Laboratory Mission Data Systems (LMDS), Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) and Portable Flight Planning System (PFPS) mission planning software. The selected candidate will ensure that specific requirements of all flight test missions are coordinated with responsible engineers and aircrew members to provide accurate mission planning data. They will build flight mission cartridge and produce all required mission support documents, such as flight plans, charts, and weapons data along with maintaining currency of LMDS, JMPS and PFPS software and associated hardware.

Essential Job Duties :

Provide pre / post mission support planning and documentation, training plans for mission planning, supporting formal meetings to support appropriate decisions regarding safety, efficiency, and effectiveness

Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness / feasibility and adequacy of test program.

Provide laboratory support for integration testing

Interface with test article / software design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements

Support test card development and review in collaboration with various engineering disciplines and test operations personnel

Support test readiness reviews, and pre / post-test briefings

Support test planning working groups as needed

Conduct and contribute to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution. Maintains metrics on status of testing and constraints

Must be willing to work extended shifts and odd hours to support flight test execution objectives.

Additional Job Responsibilities :

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant industry mission planning software

Ability to brief test results / issues to executive leadership.

This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. The selected candidate will be required to serve as either a principal subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, and the test team - contractor and customer. They must be able to work under general direction to determine and develop approaches to solutions, can work both within a team environment and independently, self-motivated, thorough, and detailed, and be willing to learn additional test discipline areas.

The standard shift for this position is on the 4 / 10 schedule. Shift adjustments may be required with advanced notification.

Basic Qualifications :

Bachelor of Science Degree in Science, Technical, Engineering or Math (STEM)

A minimum of 5 years experience or 3 years with a Masters in STEM that includes military / professional experience with a background in Navigator / Mission Planner / support to flying operations, flight test, and / or flight training

Demonstrated experience with mission planning, execution, and debriefing

Requires ability to work any shift

Must have an active DoD Secret clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into continuous evaluation)

Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience as a US Air Force Pilot / Navigator / Mission Planner, US Navy or USMC Naval Flight Officer (NFO), or equivalent (Intelligence support to flight operations considered).

Experience with mission planning tools (i.e., JMPS, PFPS, AFMSS)

Experience with mission planning development / testing during a new aircraft developmental test program.

Experience with Proprietary mission planning tools exclusive to the test articles

Active DoD Top Secret / SCI clearance

Familiarity with SCI and SAP security procedures

Masters degree in a STEM discipline

Relevant FAA rating(s)

Salary Range : $91,200.00 - $136,800.00

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.

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