Systems Engineer Level 5 - Flight Test IPT lead
Quick Summary
As the Flight Test Integrated Product Team Lead, you will: Lead a High-Performing Team: Coordinate a cross-functional engineering team in a high-visibility and fast-paced program environment.
As the Flight Test Integrated Product Team Lead, you will: Lead a High-Performing Team: Coordinate a cross-functional
Northrop Grumman - Launch Vehicles Division is hiring a Systems Engineer Level 5 - Flight Test IPT lead, located in Chandler, Arizona.
This high-visibility position requires a technical and leadership expert capable of guiding multi-disciplinary engineering teams to design, integrate, and deliver cutting-edge kill vehicle systems for hypersonic environments. The ideal candidate will have strong avionics design expertise, a deep understanding of hypersonic system challenges, and proven program management abilities to balance cost, schedule, and quality in executing Flight Test events.
Position Overview
Serve as Leader of the technical, cost, schedule, and resource execution for all of the Flight Test activities. You will collaborate with all stakeholders to identify the test objectives, derive mission specific requirements, lead the team to design, build, test and integrate mission specific hardware and software. You will lead the development of mission specific integration and test procedures, execute the Integration and test of the mission vehicle, deploy to the launch site to coordinate the field campaign support the launch activities and post flight analysis.
Responsibilities
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Serve as the technical and leadership authority for the Flight Test IPT team, delivering on challenging performance, schedule, and cost objectives.
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Engage, inspire, and guide cross-functional teams to achieve program milestones, ensuring clear communication and strong alignment across all stakeholders.
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Proactively manage team assignments, workloads, mentorship, and collaboration across internal teams and external partnerships.
Apply systems engineering principles to balance multi-discipline trade-offs between mechanical, electrical, software, propulsion, electro-optical, and manufacturing teams.
Optimize flight test execution by managing diverse requirements, mitigating risks, and resolving system integration challenges.
Conduct structured trade studies to inform design decisions with practical and achievable solutions that enhance overall reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Collaborate with the Performance Pillar PMO, Interceptor Pillar PMO and Assembly, Test and Launch Operations (ATLO) Pillar PMO to Assemble, Test and Launch GPI Flight Test configurations which include radio, controller, optical seeker and sensor systems, balancing critical thermal, electrical, and mechanical interfaces.
Manage technical planning, design, and execution of rigorous subsystem and system-level test campaigns under flight-representative conditions to validate system performance.
Serve as the primary technical interface for internal and external stakeholders, preparing and delivering clear communication on risks, trade-offs, decisions, and successes.
Partner with internal program management and external vendors to align technical requirements and delivery schedules with program milestones.
Foster collaborative, trust-based relationships with U.S. and international partners to maintain alignment and ensure mission success.
Requirements
~1 min readBachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields with 12 years of relevant experience, master's degree with 10 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. with 8 years of relevant experience
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Advanced degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or other related technical fields.
Experience leading technical teams
Understanding of DoD systems engineering requirements
Experience as Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, Technical lead, or other leadership role in a program office or business function with demonstrated team building, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Experience with the technical development and direction for many aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
Experience with developing and executing project schedules.
Exceptional communication skills.
An interest in and an aptitude for customer engagements at technical and programmatic levels.
Experience as a Control Account Manager (CAM) managing Earned Value Management System (EVMS) projects.
Domain expertise in defense sensor systems.
Experience with the technical development and direction for all aspects of engineering on a program, including design, development, implementation, testing, and delivery of product to a customer.
Experience coordinating with external subcontractors, primes, and/or suppliers.
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Primary Level Salary Range: $152,900.00 - $229,300.00The 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.Location & Eligibility
About this job
- Posted
- 35 days ago
Listing Details
- Posted
- September 10, 2026
- First seen
- October 5, 2026
- Last seen
- October 15, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 9
- Repost count
- 0
- Trust Level
- 14%
- Scored at
- October 15, 2026
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