Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time

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 Senior Staff Pilot Test to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization. This role is located in Melbourne, FL.

The Chief Test Pilot (CTP) is a key contributor to the program and sits on the program leadership team. The CTP will support the design, development, and certification of the aircraft and air system. The CTP will work closely with other Integrated Product Teams, the Chief Engineer, as well as systems engineers including Safety, Airworthiness, and Human Factors teams to validate and verify aircraft design and performance. The CTP is a key participant in the flight test risk management process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building and sustaining a cadre of skilled test pilots and production pilots to safely execute the flight test program
• Ensure early and effective contributions to air vehicle design, cockpit/crew station design and Pilot Vehicle Interface areas
• Support the Chief Engineer on various design trades and analysis
• Chair the pilot working group
• Provide flight experienced leadership in critical program phases and reviews, such as SRR, PDR, CDR, FRR, and TRR
• Provide direction to engineers on design definition, simulator flights, test planning, test card writing, flight test techniques, test conduct, test reporting, and proposal preparation
• Ensure effective test pilot training, FTE training, MCR training and ensuring proficiency of staff
• Perform initial flights on prototypes and test articles for new clean sheet air vehicles
• Plan, develop, and perform flight tests to verify air worthiness, performance capabilities, and mission effectiveness using various simulators, surrogate aircraft, test-bed aircraft, and the program air vehicle.
• Partner closely with the Directors of Test and Safety to ensure that the test team is conducting safe and effective ground and flight test operations
• Collaborate with Service test pilots as well as Integrated Test Team personnel
• Develop standards and protocols and ensure lessons learned are communicated with appropriate teams
• Develop and manage the test vehicle pilot handbook and eventual NATOPS manual

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and 14 years of experience or a Master’s Degree in Science and 12 years of experience or a PhD and 10 years of experience for Senior Staff level position
• Military Test Pilot School graduate of USNTPS, USAFTPS, Empire Test Pilots School, or EPNER
• Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top Secret clearance (DoD must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
• Must have the ability to obtain and hold an FAA Second Class medical certificate
• Must have a minimum of 1,250 hours tactical aircraft pilot time with 500 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC)
• Must have previous experience as a test pilot in a developmental test program
• Must have aircraft carrier pilot experience (>150 arrested landings)
• Must have strong leadership and communication skills with relevant flight test leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Weapons School graduate
• Must have 5th Generation fighter flight hours
• Multi-Engine Land and Single Engine Land FAA Commercial pilot license
• 737 Type Certification
• Knowledge and experience with risk management and mitigation
• Previous experience leading a military or corporate test organization
• Master’s degree in a related STEM field

Primary Level Salary Range:

$201,400.00 - $302,200.00

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.

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

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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