Staff Aeronautical Engineer -Test and Evaluation Lead

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Staff Aeronautical Engineer- Test and Evaluation Lead to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation Engineering organization. This will be supporting our Research and Advance Design Expendables Operating Unit. This role is located in Redondo Beach, CA or El Segundo, CA.

The Test Lead responsible for coordinating, managing, leading, and/or executing test activities to meet customer deliverable milestones across the program lifecycle. The Test Lead ensures the integrity, traceability, and control of program data, deliverables, and documentation in accordance with contractual and organizational standards.

• →Develop Test Plans, test procedures and test reports for flight/ground testing, and coordinate with government test ranges for approvals.
• →Execute testing from validation or proof of concept; to components, sub assemblies, and full vehicle.
• →Testing to include all aspects of an EMD program such as wind tunnel, dynamics, sub-component validation, electrical, flight test.
• →Coordinate and manage all Test and Evaluation from ground to flight test and store separation. Coordinate and manage ground facilities/resources required for ground/flight testing.
• →Report to SEIT Lead or Customer to communicate test status and results.
• →Ensure test schedule meets timelines to support requirement verification/validation by the SEIT lead.
• →Coordinate test personnel availability and engineering POC's.
• →Coordinate test hardware procurement.
• →Complete and execute all Test activities on schedule and budget.
• →The selected candidate must have strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills to communicate with all level of program, sub contractors, and customer.

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, 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 help us grow our services and become even better

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in STEM Discipline and 12 years of related engineering, technical management, and/or related military experience OR Masters of Science Degree in STEM and 10 years related experience, or PhD in STEM and 8 years of related experience
• Demonstrated experience in test and evaluation within defense, aeronautics, or complex engineering environments.
• Experience testing at government or private facilities for ground, lab, wind-tunnel and/or flight test.
• Experience in requirement decomposition to lead design procedures, and execute tests including ground, lab, wind-tunnel, and/or flight test.
• Experience coordinating with test facilities to meet cost, schedule, and test requirements.
• Must have an active Secret US Government clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation) and the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret US Clearance.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
• Be able to travel up to 25% to multiple locations for ground and flight tests.

• Experience with Expendables/One time use missiles.
• Experience developing Flight Test Cards and procedures.
• Experience Leading Customer Deliverables.
• Experience with cradle to grave processes (conceptual design through production) for test and evaluation.
• Working knowledge of Aeronautical disciplines: Flight Sciences, Subsystems, Software, Structures, Vehicles, Test and Evaluation, Survivability, Mission Systems, Manufacturing and Production, Product Support, and Global Supply Chain.
• Demonstrated understanding of program risk, opportunity and issue management process
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, MBSE, Cameo, CPLM, and or other collaboration tools.
• Experience in US defense CDRL/SDRL processes and compliance requirements.
• Experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) or Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.
• Experience with the DoD acquisition lifecycle, classified program execution, and support to technical proposals, SOWs, and BOEs.
• Experience briefing results to senior leadership and government customers.