Staff Test Engineer – Active Secret Clearance Required

Northrop Grumman

. Orchestrate lab, ground, and flight integration and developmental testing for NGAS .

Posted 10/25/2026full-timeSan Diego • California • United StatesLead💰 $161,000 - $241,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in orchestrating lab, ground, and flight integration and testing, with a strong focus on program risk management and team leadership in dynamic environments. Proficient in project management and communication, ensuring adherence to cost and schedule performance targets.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Flight Test Program LeadershipProgram Risk ManagementLab Environment ExperienceProject Management SkillsActive Secret US Government Clearance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Lab TestingGround TestingFlight TestingRisk Management ProcessesTest PlanningTest ReportingStaffing ForecastingTest Statement of Work ExecutionDynamic Work Environment LeadershipU.S. Citizenship

Soft Skills

Organizational SkillsWritten Communication Skills

Tools & Technologies

MS ProjectExcelPowerPointWordJiraConfluence

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Secret US Government ClearanceTop Secret US ClearanceSpecial Access Program Clearance

Industry Keywords

STEM DegreeMilitary ExperienceProgram LeadershipTest EngineeringContinuous Evaluation

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Orchestrate lab, ground, and flight integration and developmental testing for NGAS
Ensure engineering tests serve developmental objectives and mechanisms are in place to execute tests
Review test-requirement status, manage schedules, and prepare test plans and reports
Identify test and test-program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans
Coordinate ground-test engineering and operations and aircraft modifications for testing
Interact frequently with Engineering in Rancho Bernardo, Space Park, El Segundo, and Palmdale
Ensure cost and schedule performance targets are met
Provide program leadership with test-site employee staffing forecasts and timely resource forecasts
Ensure proper staffing to execute the Test Statement of Work
Lead test engineering personnel and work in a matrix environment
Support extended shifts and occasional weekends as required to maintain program schedules
Support test activities in the System Integration Lab in Rancho Bernardo and ground and flight tests

Requirements

What you’ll need

Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field and 12 years of relevant Lab, Ground and Flight test military/professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and 10 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 8 years of relevant experience
Must have experience leading flight test programs
Must have experience with program risk, opportunity and issue management processes
Experience in Lab environments
Must have an active Secret US Government clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret US Clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time prior to employment
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
Experience leading a Test team in a dynamic work environment
Excellent organizational and written communication skills
Project management planning and presentation skills
Proficient with MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Experience with Jira and Confluence tools
An active US Government Top Secret clearance is preferred
Prior SAP or SCI clearance is preferred
U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance may be available
Flexible work arrangements
9/80 or 4/10 work schedule
Phenomenal learning opportunities
Exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers
Friendly team environment
Health insurance coverage
Life and disability insurance
Savings plan
Company paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
Overtime may be available
Shift differential may be available
Discretionary bonus may be available
Annual bonuses may be available