Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal or Senior Principal Specialty Test Engineer to join our Full-Scale Test (FST) team within our Specialty Test department. The FST performs all structural testing, both static and fatigue, ranging from component level to full scale article on both R&D and flight hardware. This role is located in Palmdale, CA.
Note: Due to the classified nature of the work being performed, this position does not offer any virtual or telecommute working options. This is an individual contributor role that can be filled at either level.
Candidates will apply their electrical, mechanical, and computer skills to this job. They should possess a background in requirements derivation, process adherence, test fixture design, test setup, test planning, PDR/CDR/TRR, PID controls, and data analysis. While collaborating with various disciplines and different levels of personnel throughout all phases of structural testing toward a collective objective, they must exhibit excellent communication skills and exceptional abilities to work well within a diverse team. Functional performance includes a very unique role that requires the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic facets involved with all testing functions interchangeably. Candidates must also have familiarity with operating and the basic concepts pertaining to data acquisition and load control hardware, as well as related instrumentation such as: LVDTs, Strain Gages, String Pots, and Load Cells. Candidate will potentially serve as a leader and mentor to entry-level engineers and technicians.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Test Lifecycle Management - requirements derivation, Fixture Design, Fixture procurement and fabrication, test setup integration, test planning, support various gate reviews, test execution and test reporting.
Contributes to the development, fabrication and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical components, sub-assemblies, systems, and full-scale test stands.
Work with state of the art, load control and data acquisition systems to execute testing containing hundreds of load/position/pressure control channels while acquiring feedback /data from thousands of sensors.
Hardware and instrumentation design, set-up, program, and operation, troubleshooting, data reduction, test report preparation/presentation and maintain load control and data acquisition systems.
Plan and arrange for the equipment and personnel required to fulfill test requirements.
Co-Author and publish test/instrumentation procedures, test reports and other documents as necessary to support the SOW.
Participate in formal readiness reviews throughout all phases of testing.
Participate in post-test data evaluation, issue identification, and resolutions.
Set up, install, and troubleshoot all types of instrumentation (load cells, LVDTs, strain gages, string pots, thermocouples, etc.) and understand their associated functional concepts.
Creating 2D/3D drawings in AutoCAD and/or NX
Selected Candidate must be able to work multiple shifts such as:
4x10A schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st or 2nd or 3rd shift
4x10B schedule (Tue-Fri) 1st or 2nd or 3rd shift
3x10 schedule (Fri, Sa, Su) 1st or 2nd or 3rd shift
Basic Qualifications Principal Specialty Test Engineer (T03):
Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university with 5 years of experience in engineering; OR Master of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university with 3 years of experience in engineering; OR PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university OR PhD in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline from an accredited university with 1 year of experience in engineering.
Must have an active DoD Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Proficiency with Mechanical or Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering concepts.
Must be able to work multiple shifts depending on program need and have ability and willingness to work non-standard shifts/overtime.
Proficient with MS Office applications including Excel, Word, and/or Power Point.
Must have experience in Visio, AutoCAD, CATIA and/or NX.
Basic Qualifications Sr. Principal Specialty Test Engineer (T04):
Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline from an accredited university with 8 years of experience in engineering; OR Master of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline from an accredited university with 6 years of experience in engineering; OR PhD in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline from an accredited university with 4 years of experience in engineering.
Must have an active DoD Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Proficiency with Mechanical or Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering concepts.
Must be able to work multiple shifts depending on program need and have ability and willingness to work non-standard shifts/overtime.
Proficient with MS Office applications including Excel, Word, and/or Power Point.
Must have experience in Visio, AutoCAD, CATIA and/or NX.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experienced with operating and the basic concepts of data acquisition and load control hardware as well as related instrumentation such as: LVDTs, Strain Gages, String Pots, Load Cells, etc.
Experience with structures testing, load control and data acquisition systems.
Experience in mechanical assembly & test, analog electronics, transducers, strain gage design & installation.
Hands-on skill application in servo valves, pneumatic/hydraulic system design, set up, and checkout.
Ability to assess complex anomalies, apply strong critical thinking skills, and develop resolutions effectively within a team.
Proficiency with C syntax, LabView, and VBA programming/scripting.
Current Program SAP Access (T1).
Salary Range: $110,300.00 - $165,500.00Salary Range 2: $137,400.00 - $206,000.00The 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.