Jobs / United States / Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Sr Principal Ground Test Engineer
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation · 🇺🇸 United States-California-Edwards AFB
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.
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About the role
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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. The Flight Test Operations Team (FTO) is seeking a Senior Principal Ground Test Engineer (GTE) to lead the planning and execution of ground test events at Edwards AFB, CA. The GTE will collaborate with Responsible Engineers (RE) and Systems Test Engineers (STE) to develop test procedures, perform test article operations, and troubleshoot test anomalies. The Ground Test Engineer will plan and coordinate test operations as an approved test conductor both on and off an active flight line. They will prepare test worksheets, lead engineering briefs, and direct a mixed team of engineers and technicians through ground test events. During launch and recovery operations, the GTE serves as the operational link between maintenance, engineering, mission control, and the pilots. The selected candidate will: • Develop and execute ground test procedures and support active flight line testing • Conduct preflight and postflight power on checks • Provide first line engineering support for maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, and modifications to systems under test • Provide supervision and direction to maintenance personnel for maintenance, repairs, and modifications to systems under test • Analyze and interpret test data, provide recommendations to engineering and leadership for alternate means of compliance as required • Coordinate with support organizations in the execution and planning of a developmental test program • Provide support for post-test data processing and analysis as required to support test objectives The selected candidate must be willing and able to work various shifts depending on business needs. This may include a 4x10 schedule (Monday through Thursday) on 1st or 2nd shift, or a 3x10 schedule (Friday through Sunday) on 1st or 2nd shift. The selected candidate must be willing to support extended hours, shift rotations, weekends, and holidays as needed. The candidate must also be willing to travel domestically to support testing operations. Basic Qualifications Senior Principal Ground Test Engineer (GTE): • Bachelor of Science Degree in Science, Technical, Engineering or Math (STEM) • A minimum of 8 years of engineering experience with a BS Degree, 6 years engineering experience with a MS degree in STEM Field, or 4 years with a PhD in STEM Field • Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and proven ability to interact with employees and management at all levels • Must have an Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher • Must have ability to obtain and maintain Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs • Willingness to work overtime, odd‑hour shifts, and occasional weekends to support test schedules Preferred Qualifications: • Current active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance