Sr. Principal Engineer Airworthiness

Northrop Grumman

•

Falls Church, Virginia

•

PERMANENT

$142,200-$213,400/yr

Updated 10/05/2026

Job Description

Job Summary

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START

NoCLEARANCE TYPE:

SecretTRAVEL:

Yes, 10 of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact peoples 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 nations 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, theyre making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector has an opening for a Sr. Principal Airworthiness Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position is based in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

The Sr. Principal/Staff Airworthiness Engineer will be working within the Airworthiness Engineering Directorate supporting certification efforts on various air vehicle platforms. The selected candidate will ensure the logical and systematic realization of customer airworthiness certification objectives into system solutions to meet program needs throughout the product lifecycle (e.g. Flight Releases, Type Certification, continued airworthiness, and operation of airspace integration).

Essential Duties:

• Performs technical airworthiness planning and verification support including development and negotiation of airworthiness plans, bases of certification, means of compliance, and other certification activities for complex total systems with IPT/REs as well as customer counterparts.
• Reviews and coordinates with other airworthiness engineers as well as internal engineering disciplines performed across the total system to include design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
• Performs functional and process analyses, requirements allocation and definition studies to translate customer requirements into criteria and derived requirements. Ensures the logical and systematic realization of customer airworthiness certification objectives into system solutions to meet program needs throughout the product lifecycle (e.g. Flight releases, Type certification, continued airworthiness, operations, and airspace integration).
• Responsible for managing and maintaining Type Design Data and airworthiness evidence in support of a Military Type Certification and Air System Continued & Continuing Airworthiness as a member of the senior technical AW staff in a System Design Responsible company.

The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels.

Basic Qualifications:

Sr Principal:

Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline with 8 years of related experience; OR Master of Science with 6 years of related experience; OR Ph.D. with 4 years of related experience Familiarity of

MIL-HDBK-516B

Expanded and -516C

Work experience leading the development of Airworthiness plans, a Basis of Certification, and related activities

Work experience with domestic and international

UAS/RPAS

airworthiness authorizations and type certifications

Must have an active US Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

Military aircraft development or modification experience, especially US Navy

Ability to initiate Airworthiness Certification process improvement initiatives

DoD and Civil Airworthiness Experience

Work experience and familiarity with

UAS/RPAS

Design and Systems Engineering experience in one or more of the following areas: Structures, Flight Technology, Air Vehicle Subsystems, Avionics, Mission Payload Integration, System Safety, Flight Test, Configuration Management

• Experience with USAF Airworthiness Policy Directives, Instructions, and Airworthiness Bulletins (AWB)

Control Account Management (CAM) and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience including Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) planning and tracking, Earned Value reporting, variance analysis, and Estimate at Complete (EAC) forecasting.

Experience in a System Design Responsible (SDR) organization per international regulations with signature authority

Interactions with airworthiness authorities US DoD, MoD International, or civil authorities

Familiarity of European Military Aviation Regulations (EMARs)

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word and SharePoint

A current active U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher and the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP).

Primary Level Salary Range:

$142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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 candidates 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.

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