Test Engineer - Level 2 or Level 3

Relocation assistance may be available. U.S. citizenship is required. Travel is required, up to 10% of the time.

About the role

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Test Engineer - Level 2 or Level 3 to join the Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Team in San Diego, California. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

The MEP Business Unit designs, builds, and delivers space, defense, and aviation-related systems, including satellites and associated space components, launch vehicles and propulsion systems, missile products, defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, and advanced aerospace structures.

Responsibilities

• Create test plans and procedures based on customer requirements and/or program team direction.
• Collaborate with Design and Tooling engineering to create test fixture designs and model test setups electronically.
• Plan and coordinate the labor, schedule, and equipment required for testing and evaluating standard and special devices.
• Oversee assembly and validation of test fixtures and test setups.
• Perform physical and/or static load tests and document results into customer deliverable reports.
• Participate in and present at internal and external (customer) test readiness reviews (TRRs), including preparation of presentation materials.
• Communicate with internal management and customers during test execution.
• Support continuous improvement and lean initiative tasks, including current state process definition, identification of non-value added activity, and future state planning.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications for Level 2

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 2 years of experience in the aerospace industry.
• Experience and familiarity with the behavior of space composite materials, adhesives, and construction.
• Experience handling and testing hardware.
• Experience with test instrumentation (strain, load, temperature) and electronic data acquisition, including test troubleshooting.
• Ability to interpret and understand specifications, statements of work (SOWs), and drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to convert customer-defined requirements into clear, written procedures.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including mechanical aptitude, the ability to multitask, and the ability to prioritize work.
• U.S. citizenship.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 5 years of experience within the aerospace industry; OR Master’s degree in STEM with 2 years of experience within the aerospace industry.
• Experience and familiarity with the behavior of space composite materials, adhesives, and construction.
• Experience handling and testing hardware.
• Experience with test instrumentation (strain, load, temperature) and electronic data acquisition, including test troubleshooting.
• Ability to interpret and understand specifications, statements of work (SOWs), and drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to convert customer-defined requirements into clear, written procedures.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including mechanical aptitude, the ability to multitask, and the ability to prioritize work.
• U.S. citizenship.

Skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Instron/MTS load frames, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and interlaminar fracture (IMF) testing.
• Experience leading root cause corrective action (RCCA) investigations.
• Experience with CAD and PLM systems, such as Siemens NX and Teamcenter.
• Experience with aerospace tooling, including composite layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
• Experience with composite/metallic assemblies including bonded/fastened joints and associated materials, adhesives, and fasteners.
• Demonstrated initiative and strong interpersonal skills, thriving both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Experience with composite manufacturing processes and applications (layup, machining, bonding & assembly).
• Ability to work flexible hours, overtime, and weekends as needed based on manufacturing schedules.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance.

Pay

• 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.

Benefits

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help employees thrive at work and in life, including:

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business