Staff Test Engineer (Weapon Systems)

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. Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking an experienced Staff Flight Test Engineer – Weapons Lead to support advanced weapon-system test efforts. This role serves as the senior technical lead for weapons flight test planning, execution, integration, data analysis, and functions as a primary liaison between design engineering, maintenance, test operations, program leadership, and customer representatives. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership within a Combined Test Force (CTF) environment at Edwards AFB, CA, and across multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to drive completion of complex aircraft weapon-system test objectives. The Weapons Lead will be expected to operate with a high degree of independence, apply advanced flight test and weapons integration knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to highly complex technical and programmatic challenges. Position Overview The Staff Flight Test Engineer – Weapons Lead is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of developmental and operationally relevant test activities associated with aircraft weapon systems. This position requires advanced expertise in the functional design integration of weapon systems, with in-depth knowledge of Stores Management System (SMS) and Suspension & Release Equipment (S&RE) hardware and software, as well as familiarity with governing interface and integration standards such as MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, and the Universal Armament Interface (UAI). The successful candidate will also possess a broad systems-level understanding of aircraft subsystems and their interaction with mission execution, pilot-vehicle interface, maintenance operations, and test support infrastructure. This individual will act as a senior advisor and spokesperson for weapons test matters, influencing technical direction, test strategy, and risk posture across the organization. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment with demanding technical expectations, diverse assignments, and extensive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Core Responsibilities • Lead all phases of weapons integration test activity, including research, requirements analysis, test design, data collection planning, execution oversight, troubleshooting, and post-test evaluation. • Develop and direct preparation of comprehensive test plans, integrated test strategies, detailed test procedures, and schedules for complex weapon-system ground and flight test missions. • Serve as the lead technical authority for weapon-system flight test execution, ensuring test objectives, instrumentation, safety considerations, and data requirements are fully aligned with program and customer expectations. • Work from and evaluate engineering artifacts such as Software Requirements Pack