
Principal / Sr. Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer
Compensation
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Job Description
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.Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer (Level 3) / Senior Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer (Level 4) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test & Evaluation organization in Melbourne, FL.
We are seeking a highly skilled, adaptable, and innovative thinkers who are interested in supporting the application of cutting-edge commercial technologies to operational military use cases. These technologies include 5G communications, machine learning, and future wireless technologies in support of advanced battle management capabilities.
In this exciting role, your mission will be to support the Battlespace Architecture Systems Technology (BAST) Research and Advanced Design (RAD) portfolio Program Director and technical leadership on all activities across the business area. The BAST portfolio teams are primarily in Melbourne, FL and Space Park, CA, and some travel between locations can be expected. Travel is expected to be 25% or less.
Essential Functions may include, but are not limited to:
Developing comprehensive test plans
Creating CONOPs (Concept of Operations) documents
Overseeing instrumentation setup and management
Providing support for demonstrations and field exercise tests
Collection of metrics and result analysis
System deployment and configuration
Cloud system configuration and testing
RF system testing
This role may be perfect for you if you possess the following:
All basic qualifications and some/most preferred qualifications
A foundation in test engineering
Ability to thrive in dynamic environments
Comfort with multi-tasking, reprioritizing daily tasks
Ability to draft whitepapers and proposals
Ability to create and deliver engaging and compelling PowerPoint presentations
Capability for self-educating without direction and tackling a wide range of projects independently
A thorough understanding of common Test Engineering test methodologies and practices
Basic Qualifications:
This requisition may be filled at a Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer or Senior Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer level based on the qualifications below.
Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer (Level 3)
Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 5 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 3 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Ph.D. in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 1 year of related professional/military experience.
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) and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable time as determined by the business.
Experience with RF Testing (e.g. developing test plans, test execution, lab testing, customer testing, formal qual, etc.)
Senior Principal Research and Advanced Design Test Engineer (Level 4)
Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 8 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 6 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Ph.D. in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 4 years of related professional/military experience.
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) and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable time as determined by the business.
Experience with RF Testing (e.g. developing test plans, test execution, lab testing, customer testing, formal qual, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications:
Professional experience with cloud and virtualized environments
Professional experience with MATLAB and Python
Familiarity with cellular networks
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
Experience in creating Basis of Estimates (BOEs)
Experience with testing systems across different domains (On-prem, Cloud)
Experience in device management and configuration
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Job Details
- Category
- Mechanical
- Employment Type
- Full time
- Location
- 2000 W NASA Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32904, US
- Posted
- Dec 11, 2025, 07:00 PM
- Listed
- Jan 5, 2026, 12:37 AM
- Compensation
- $95,300 - $142,900 per year
About Northrop Grumman
Part of the growing space industry ecosystem pushing humanity toward interplanetary exploration.
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