Sr Principal Engineer Test

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

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 Mission Systems is looking for a Sr Principal Engineer Test located in Salt Lake City, UT.

We’re looking for an experienced, self‑motivated test professional who can act as both a “player” and a “coach.” You’ll design, build, and maintain test systems for a mix of standard and custom devices, coordinate testing schedules, and ensure that all customer and in‑house samples meet quality and performance standards. Your deep hands‑on electronics background, scripting skills, and knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) will drive continuous improvement in our test methodology and tools.

What you'll get to do:

• Test System Development: Design, prototype, and implement test hardware and software (signal generators, oscilloscopes, power supplies, custom sensors). Integrate existing tools (LabVIEW, ATEasy, Python/PowerShell) into automated test flows. Document test system architecture and maintain configuration management.

• Test Plan & Execution: Create comprehensive test plans, SOPs, and traceability matrices for standard & non‑standard devices. Configure test benches, set up fixtures, and develop fixture scripts.

• Data Analysis & Process Improvement: Collect, analyze, and report test results; identify trends, defects, and root causes. Drive changes in test procedures, manufacturing processes, or product designs based on data.

• Customer & Special Tests: Lead all customer‑sample testing, ensuring compliance with contract specs. Perform complex, custom, or non‑routine tests that cannot be automated in the test area.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Coach junior engineers and technicians in test methodology, scripting, and troubleshooting. Lead cross‑functional workshops to disseminate best practices.

• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain test documentation, calibration records, and audit trails. Ensure adherence to industry standards (IPC, ISO, etc.).

The ideal candidate must be able to communicate written and verbally interpreting complex waveforms, extracting performance parameters, identifying root causes, planning, scheduling, and delivering test projects on time and within budget.

Basic Qualifications for the Sr Principal Engineer Test:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or equivalent in a STEM related field with 8 years of experience testing electronic devices; Master's degree with 6 years of experience.

• LabVIEW development (programming, CI, and debugging), ATEasy, or comparable ATE software experience (Scripting: Python, PowerShell, or Bash).

• Experience with electronic test tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters).

• Experience with signal generators, function generators, and power supplies.

• Hardware Design experience (Prototyping & debugging of custom test hardware).

• US Citizenship Required.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• RF Testing Experience.

• Experience with design and conduct RF test setups, understand SWR, attenuation, frequency translation, and spectrum analysis.

• Industrial Automation experience.

• Experience with PLCs or industrial test rig controllers.

• Custom Automation Frameworks experience.

• Experience with building test frameworks beyond LabVIEW (e.g., C++, LabView RT).

Primary Level Salary Range: $111,700.00 - $167,500.00

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.

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 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.