Principal Test Engineer - 18264

About the role

This position will be located in Huntsville, AL supporting Advanced Programs. The primary responsibilities include preparing and managing facilities, labs, HWIL/SWIL test environments, and supporting infrastructure; translating customer contractual requirements into comprehensive, system-level test solutions; developing, leading, and executing integrated test plans, procedures, and schedules; ensuring test requirement completeness and traceability; coordinating and integrating test activities across internal engineering teams, lab operations, range organizations, and external suppliers; performing technical analysis of test results and system performance; generating system-level evaluation reports and providing data-driven recommendations; reviewing and overseeing supplier test efforts; designing and implementing proof-of-concept and risk-reduction test methods and demonstrations; managing test data acquisition, configuration control, analysis, metrics, and documentation; serving as a primary technical liaison for test activities with customers, contractors, and senior stakeholders; and ensuring compliance with safety, security, and export-control requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage facilities, labs, HWIL/SWIL test environments, and supporting infrastructure (planning, procurement, builds, readiness) for Phase 2 and future-phase test activities.
• Translate customer contractual requirements into comprehensive, system-level test solutions that balance technical performance, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Develop, lead, and execute integrated test plans, procedures, and schedules for subsystem, system-level, and environmental test events (including In-Air and Underwater Eject Tests).
• Ensure test requirement completeness and traceability by contributing to and maintaining the Integrated Test Plan (ITP) and associated verification/validation artifacts.
• Cook up and integrate test activities across internal engineering teams, lab operations, range organizations, and external suppliers to achieve coherent test campaigns.
• Perform technical analysis of test results and system performance, generate system-level evaluation reports, and provide data-driven recommendations to drive design improvements and risk reduction.
• Review and oversee supplier test efforts, including test requirements, plans, procedures, verification and validation of delivered components, and test data review.
• Design and implement proof-of-concept and risk-reduction test methods and demonstrations to identify and mitigate early program risks during Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction.
• Manage test data acquisition, configuration control, analysis, metrics, and documentation using modern toolsets (e.g., DOORS, Atlassian, data analytics) to support technical reviews and decision making.
• Serve as a primary technical liaison for test activities with customers, contractors, and senior stakeholders while ensuring compliance with safety, security, and export-control requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree and 3 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 1 year of relevant experience.
• US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• 3+ years of experience developing and executing integrated test plans and procedures for complex defense or aerospace systems, including requirements traceability within a systems engineering framework (e.g., DOORS or equivalent).
• 3+ years of experience planning and executing hardware-in-the-loop and/or system-level hardware test activities, including coordination across multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
• 3+ years of experience in development of innovative Test Automation solutions.
• 3+ years of experience documenting test requirements and methodologies in the requirements management system.
• 3+ years of experience assessing anomalies and developing resolutions to documented procedures in conjunction with Test and Quality Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience reviewing status of test requirements, managing schedules, and preparing reports. Selects and supervises technicians during test.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.
• Experience developing Integrated Test Plans (ITPs), test procedures, and test reports (including functional checkout) for major DoD acquisition programs, preferably in strategic deterrence or missile systems.
• Experience leading test activities in a multi-team environment, including schedule management, risk management, performance metrics, and customer/peer technical reviews (e.g., program reviews).
• Experience with test-related toolsets such as DOORS (or equivalent), Atlassian tools (Confluence, Jira), and data analytics/visualization (e.g., Tableau) to manage requirements, test planning, and test metrics.
• Experience interfacing with and/or managing suppliers for test-related work (e.g., drafting or executing Statements of Work for test activities, leading hardware procurement/supply chain coordination for test assets).
• CompTIA Security+ Certification (or equivalent DoD 8570 certification).
• Experience with IBM Jazz to assist in automated test execution.

Skills

• Technical writing and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Project management and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of test automation tools and techniques.
• Experience with test-related toolsets such as DOORS, Atlassian tools, and data analytics/visualization.
• Supervisory and technical liaison skills.

Benefits

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts

Pay

The standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off. The annual salary range for this position is $98,900.00 - $148,300.00.

Schedule

The standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.