Staff Engineer Systems Test

Posted:
7/30/2026, 4:21:06 AM

Location(s):
Oklahoma, United States ⋅ California, United States ⋅ Palmdale, California, United States ⋅ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States ⋅ San Diego, California, United States ⋅ Florida, United States ⋅ Melbourne, Florida, United States

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
IT & Security

Workplace Type:
On-site

Pay:
$139k–$241k/yr

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 50% 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 (NGAS)  has an immediate opening for a Flight, Ground and/or Safety Operations subject matter expert (SME) for the Flight & Ground Operations Standardization Team (FGOST). This position supports the Test and Evaluation (T&E) Center of Technical Excellence (CoTE) through execution of internal evaluations and procedural management for safety AND flight & ground ops. This leadership role is located on-site, based at one of the following locations: Melbourne, FL, Palmdale, CA, Rancho Bernardo, CA, OR Oklahoma City, OK.

This position requires a highly experienced SME in the field of flight ground and/or safety operations and must possess expert knowledge of DCMA 8210.1 series, FAA Part 91, NGAS requirements and processes operations requirements as it applies to all NGAS programs and fielded operations. This position will ensure all aspects of flight, ground and safety operations are standardized across the NGAS sector. This individual is expected to be qualified to evaluate programs,  and promote a new paradigm with a governance model that establishes oversight of all NGAS Operations. This position is located full-time onsite; remote/hybrid options are not available. Requires approximately 50% travel globally.  

Duties include process lead and instructor duties.  As the FGOST Process Lead with oversight and management of the flight test operations database for all flight programs. Serves as liaison between Principles & Operating Practices (PrOP) Focal Points, PrOP Analyst, FGOST, Technical Disciplines, Site and Program Leadership, customer, and Government Flight Representative (GFR) for Flight Ground Contractor Operations Procedures (FGCOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Mishap Response Plans (MRPs), and Reference Documents. Instructor duties include becoming qualified to teach the use of the Safety Management System (SMS) and Safe & Just Culture.

Additional job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Represent NGAS as the flight ground or safety operations SME at government and Industry working groups

  • Audit Flight Programs and fielded operations annually, in accordance with DCMA 8210.1, FAA Part 91 and NGAS requirements relating to flight operations.

  • Assist the programs and sites with resolution to audit findings; track and ensure closure.

  • Conduct trend analysis for Flight Test and fielded operations audits, and work with the working groups on developing, implementing, and driving process improvements applicable to all Flight Test and fielded operations.

  • Assist programs during GFR and AOI audits, and ensure programs appropriately respond to any resultant corrective actions

  • Support all Working Groups activities 

  • Participate in NG Airworthiness Working Groups

  • Participate as a lead or team member with NGAS Flight or Ground Operations-related CPATS, CARs, RCCA and IRTs

  • Manage all FGCOP, SOP, & MRPs

  • Serve as FGOST representative supporting PrOP reviews, updates, cancellations to NGAS and Corporate procedures

  • Supports FGCOP/SOP/MRP document owners through notification of reference documents requiring updates/review.

  • Provides up-to date tracking and status management of FGCOP/SOP/MRP and referenced documentation for NGAS

  • Manage Technical Operations Data Base including all FGCOPs, SOPs, MRPs, & Reference Documents

  • Conduct trend analysis for all NGAS Flight Test and fielded operations audits, and work with the Flight Test Technical Discipline to develop, implement and drive process improvements applicable to all NGAS Flight Test and fielded operations.

  • Aviation Safety Official. Leading and implementing the Safety Management System

Basic Qualifications Staff Engineer Systems Test:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 12 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 10 years of related professional/military experience.

  • Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Top Secret clearance 

  • Experience in aircraft maintenance, flight ops, flight test engineering or flight safety

  • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current TS/SCI and SAP clearances

  • U.S. Military flight operations, maintenance, quality, test experience or safety

  • Fluent with DCMA & DoD regulations and procedures

  • Prior DCMA experience (GFR or GGR) 

  • Experience building intranet websites or databases for information, collaboration, and project tracking

  • Experience in Safety Management Systems

  • Expert level knowledge of MS Office apps and Project to create reports, metrics development and tracking, present data to executives, management, and line personnel

  • Excellent vertical & horizontal communication skills

Primary Level Salary Range: $139,000.00 - $241,200.00

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.