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Posted July 07, 2026
Northrop Grumman

Test Conductor/Principal Test Conductor-Active Secret Clearance Required - R10237987

San Diego, CA, US Full Time
$83400 - $125200
Reference: R10237987

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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 has an opening for a Test Conductor or Principal Test Conductor to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation Organization. This position is located in Rancho Bernardo, CA. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Test conductors are to ensure engineering tests serve mission objectives and mechanisms are in place to execute the tests and are responsible for testing all customer samples. They have the responsibility to oversees the operational aspects of engineering tests and serves as liaison to program, system test engineering and lab operations. The selected candidate will manage schedules and prepare reports, in addition will assess anomalies and develop resolutions to documented procedures in conjunction with System Test and Quality Engineering.

Typical responsibilities include, but not limited to:

  • Manage day to day lab operations.
  • Maintain communication and collaboration across engineering, program, and support teams.
  • Ensure adherence to scheduling priorities.
  • Address interface and functionality problems between software components and/or hardware
  • Ensure laboratory assets are maintained at readiness levels to prevent avoidable lab operation down time.
  • Providing laboratory support for integration testing
  • Supporting and hosting test planning working groups
  • Interfacing with test article design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements
  • Reviewing and evaluating test requirements to ensure completeness of test program
  • Performing technical analysis of complete systems and prepares comprehensive system level evaluations
  • Supporting test card reviews in collaboration with other engineering disciplines and test operations personnel
  • Supporting test readiness reviews, and pre/post-test briefings
  • Conducting and contributing to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution. Maintains metrics on status of testing and constraints
  • Generating metrics for leadership reviews
  • Working with Hot bench, Lab, and flight data management
  • This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. Individual will be required to serve as either a principal subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, and test site team - contractor and customer.
  • Individual must be able to work under only general direction to determine and develop approaches to solutions; must be able to work both within a team environment and independently; must be self-motivated, thorough, and detailed; and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.
  • Extended Work Week, odd shifts, and weekend work will occasionally be required

We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

This role may be filled at a Test Conductor 2 or 3 based on the qualifications below.

Basic Qualification for Test Conductor:

  • A Bachelor's of science in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) discipline and 2 years of of related engineering, professional or military experience or Masters in STEM and 0 years experience.
  • Experience in data recording tools such as DOORs, MBSE, JIRA.
  • Experience in flight test
  • Ability to lift and maneuver up to 20 lbs.
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation.

Basic Qualification for Principal Test Conductor:

  • A Bachelor's of science in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) discipline and 5 years of of related engineering, professional or military experience or Masters in STEM and 3 years of related engineering, professional or military experience or PhD in STEM and 1 year of related engineering, professional or military experience .
  • Experience in data recording tools such as DOORs, MBSE, JIRA.
  • Experience in flight test
  • Ability to lift and maneuver up to 20 lbs.
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Developing system test requirements for subsystems and SRS/HRS specifications through use of MBSE tools & DOORS

• In depth knowledge of or test experience, to include control room monitoring

• Experience with guidance, navigation and control or flying qualities experience in a control room environment.

• Prior experience working with IADS software

• Familiar with Windows operating system such as Word and Excel

• Windows file organization and data migration

• Experience in testing and troubleshooting hardware and/or software

• Experience in Hardware/Software Integration

• Experience working within an Agile development environment

• Experience as a Product Owner

• Performs trade studies, engineering and technical analyses, reports, change proposals, and other technical documentation

• Actively participate in the efforts associated with Agile development, including release planning, sprint planning, scrum and retrospective.

• Working in an integrated team environment with other systems, software, and specialty engineers to develop solutions.

• Prepare technical presentations for management and stakeholders and communicate clearly and effectively the technical approaches and findings

What We Offer: 

At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation -- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare and a great 401K matching program!

Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

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.

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