Jobs / United States / Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Principal/Sr Principal Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation · 🇺🇸 United States-Maryland-Patuxent River
Sponsorship verdict
Posting rules out sponsorship
The posting rules out sponsorship or requires citizenship/clearance.
- No government sponsor record hereThis employer posted directly and does not match a government sponsor register.
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- Security clearance mentionedFrom the posting’s own wording.
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
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Why not apply?
The posting mentions a security clearance — usually restricted to citizens of that country.
No register record and no sponsorship wording in the posting. Worth asking the employer before investing significant time.
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Sponsor Radar — Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
This employer posted directly and does not match a government sponsor register.
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation →
About the role
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time 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. Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal/ Sr. Principal Pilot - Unmanned Air Vehicle to join the team of qualified individuals. Position is located in Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. This is a work onsite position, located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD with occasional travel to support Production operations in Palmdale, CA. Help shape the future of unmanned maritime ISR as the Sr. Principal Pilot (AVO) on the MQ-4C Triton Integrated Test Team (ITT) at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. From NAS Patuxent River, you will lead developmental and operational flight efforts that validate Triton performance and directly support mission readiness and national security. This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment with diverse test assignments and high expectations. Key Responsibilities: • Remotely pilot Triton UAV to determine compliance with specification and operational suitability during engineering tests and flight test/demonstration support through specifically prescribed tests and maneuvers • Define, plan, organize and execute complex flight profiles and flight test events in support of program milestones • Conduct briefings and debriefings, and coordinate with maintenance personnel to analyze and correct vehicle discrepancies • Act as NATOPS Instructor or Examiner as required • Must successfully complete company UAV operator training and qualification program and receive GFR certification We offer flexible work arrangements, 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do. This requisition may be filled at a higher grade based on qualifications listed below. Basic Qualifications: This requisition may be filled at a Principal or Sr. Principal level Basic Qualification for Principal Unmanned Pilot • Must have a Bachelor of Science AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Ph.D. AND 2 years of related professional/military experience. • Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs. • Current FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating and a minimum of 500 flight hours as pilot-in-command of a manned aircraft • Must have at least 250 hours PC/PIC ti