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 sector has an opening for a Production Flight Test Manager 2, to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This leadership role is located in Palmdale, CA. The High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Program at Palmdale Plant 42, CA requires a Test Engineering Manager 2 responsible for all facets of the Triton, Global Hawk, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Q-4 variant production test, system verification, and final delivery, including staffing, planning, execution and reporting in multiple technology areas. This position requires a highly motivated and self-starting individual with relevant test operations experience, who will be willing to support additional HALE or RQ-4/MQ-4 Series Programs beyond the defined requirements of this position. Key Responsibilities:
* Orchestrate ground and flight integration and developmental testing for various MQ-4 Triton & RQ-4 Global Hawk series aircraft.
* Overseeing production testing of Palmdale produced and/or modified air vehicles.
* Must coordinate flight operations with the FAA for flight through the National Airspace System and schedule use of military ranges to include the R-2508 Complex and offshore Warning Areas. * Creating and maintaining flight publications accounts, requisition of required equipment, writing Flight and Ground Common Operating Procedures in accordance with DCMA Instructions, and maintaining pilot documents and manuals required for flight operations.
* Direct interface with the Government Flight Representative (GFR) and is responsible for ensuring compliance through recurring Aircraft Operating Inspections conducted by the GFR/DCMA
* Responsible for the daily support of aircraft and ground shelter testing and managing the daily operations of HALE pilots, sensor operators (SOs), Mission Payload Operators (MPOs), and test conductors (TCs). * Work with mission planners on various programs to ensure safe and effective flight plans for all phases of test.
* Schedule chase aircraft and coordinates chase procedures for both HALE and chase pilots. * Identify all test and test program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans. * Responsible for coordinating with ground test engineering and operations, aircraft modifications for testing, frequent interaction with Engineering at Rancho Bernardo, and ensuring cost and schedule performance targets are met.
* Must provide program leadership for test site employees and provide timely resource forecasts to program management, assuring that proper staffing is in place to execute the Flight Test Statement of Work.
* Frequent contact with internal personnel and external customer representatives at various management levels concerning operations and will be responsible for scheduling specific aircraft and test resources and resolving issues that may arise over the course of the flight test program.
* Must have excellent communication skills, experience with flight-line operational requirements, experience leading test pilot and test engineering personnel, and be capable of working in a matrix environment with multiple sources of management guidance.
* Support extended shifts, occasional weekends, and holidays as required to maintain program schedule as well as occasional travel to support specific Triton and Global Hawk programs and special tests. * There will also be the opportunity to support foreign military sale (FMS) international variants of the Q-4 platform with associated international travel for demonstrations, tests, and aircraft deliveries. The selected candidate may also qualify as an aircrew or test team member if they meet the required aircrew or test conductor requirements and any FAA or medical clearance. As a leader, you always act with integrity, and the highest ethical standards characterize everything you do. You enable your team to achieve predictable and balanced results, while satisfying the needs of internal and external partners. You treat all people with respect, and you model personal growth and continuous development. You know how to build an inclusive environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. You develop trusted and valued customer relationships and communicate effectively, so that people throughout the organization feel engaged and connected to their work. You deliver excellence, strive for continuous improvement, and respond vigorously to change. Basic Qualifications : * Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 9 years of relevant experience with an emphasis on test, engineering, and/or flight operations, OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline AND 7 years of experience with an emphasis on test, engineering, and/or flight operations * Must have an active DoD Secret clearance. Requires ability to obtain TS. Interim Secret required to start.
* Must have excellent communication skills, including ability to brief test results/issues to executive leadership
* Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
* Must have ability to obtain and maintain Access (PAR) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs. Preferred Qualifications : * Active DoD Top Secret clearance
* RQ-4/MQ-4C Series qualified aircrew
* Q-4 Series Instructor Pilot and Evaluator
* Current Class II/III FAA Physical
* Minimum 500 Pilot in Command (PIC) hours and able to maintain currency
* FAA commercial instrument rated pilot (or military equivalent)
* Military flight experience, flight test operations, FAA single engine commercial rating, aviation instructor experience * Experience leading a flight test operations team
* USAF/USN Qualified Test Conductor/Director
* Military Test Pilot School (USAF TPS or USN TPS) or National Test Pilot School (NTPS) graduate highly desirableSalary Range: $138,100 - $207,100 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. Employees may be eligible for 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 committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA 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.