Full-Time

Staff Test Pilot

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

10,001+ employees

Aerospace and defense technology solutions provider

Cybersecurity
Aerospace
Defense

Compensation Overview

$199.6k - $299.4kAnnually

+ Bonus

Expert

Edwards AFB, CA, USA

Relocation assistance may be available.

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
Flight Dynamics
Research & Development
Aerospace Engineering

You match the following Northrop Grumman's candidate preferences

Employers are more likely to interview you if you match these preferences:

Degree
Experience
Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science Degree with a minimum of 12 years relevant experience, or 10 years relevant experience with a MS degree, or 7 years relevant experience with a PhD
  • FAA commercial Multi or Single Engine instrument rated pilot (or military equivalent)
  • Minimum of 1,500 hours of flight experience as Pilot in Command
  • Current FAA Class II Medical or higher
  • Military Test Pilot School (TPS) Graduate
  • Experience in flight testing, with ability to work with engineering to develop solutions to integration issues, and to bridge between the customer users and Northrop Grumman designers
  • 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 ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Must be willing to obtain and maintain the appropriate medical clearance(s), as defined per the customer’s contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment
  • Must be willing to obtain and maintain all training qualifications, as needed per the customer’s contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment
Responsibilities
  • Provide test pilot expertise to assigned programs; technology/research efforts to ensure man-machine interface issues and requirements are identified for new or modified aircraft designs
  • Plan, develop and execute test flights on aircraft to verify airworthiness and performance capability; validate and verify compliance with specifications and to determine operational effectiveness and/or suitability
  • Partner with Flight Operations (Ops) Manager and Engineering team to ensure test team is conducting safe and effective ground and flight test operations
  • Collaborates with customer pilots
  • Engage with program Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and Responsible Engineers (REs) to ensure air vehicle and ground station designs/modifications are effective and suitable
  • Provide test pilot inputs at Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and Safety Review Boards (SRBs) ensuring safe conduct of all NGAS flight test missions
  • Ensure best practices and lessons learned are shared with other program pilots
  • Provide engineering test pilot expertise and safety guidance to flight test engineers for design definition, simulator flights, test planning, flight test techniques, test conduct, test reporting and proposal preparation
  • Provide test pilot inputs to System Safety to ensure safe conduct of flight test missions
  • Provide pilot inputs into development of preliminary flight manuals and aircrew checklists
  • Maintain proficiencies and currencies
  • Promote active involvement in flight test professional societies and industry forums; fully supports Test Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Flight Test Safety Summit
Desired Qualifications
  • Current, proficient, and qualified in military aircraft
  • Current DoD Top Secret clearance
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Excellent communications skills, including the ability to brief test results to executive leadership

Northrop Grumman specializes in aerospace and defense technology, providing solutions for government clients like the U.S. Department of Defense. The company focuses on areas such as autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and C4ISR, developing products through research, manufacturing, and technology integration. Its business model relies on securing long-term contracts through competitive bidding, which helps maintain a steady revenue stream. Northrop Grumman aims to stay competitive by continuously investing in innovation and technological advancements.

Company Stage

IPO

Total Funding

$192.2M

Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Founded

1939

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Increased demand for autonomous underwater drones boosts Northrop Grumman's Manta-Ray project.
  • The $3.5 billion E-6B Mercury successor contract secures long-term revenue.
  • Mission Robotic Vehicle launch in 2026 positions Northrop Grumman in on-orbit servicing market.

What critics are saying

  • Talent drain to competitors may impact the Cyber & Intelligence division.
  • China's Shijian-25 satellite development challenges Northrop Grumman's MRV plans.
  • German Navy's new drone testing increases competition for Manta-Ray project.

What makes Northrop Grumman unique

  • Northrop Grumman excels in autonomous systems, cyber, and space technologies.
  • The company has a strong track record with government contracts and defense projects.
  • Its diversified revenue streams include Aerospace Systems, Mission Systems, and Technology Services.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Relocation Assistance

Performance Bonus