Sr Principal Pilot Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Northrop Grumman

• Palmdale, California

PERMANENT

Posted 06/2026 Job Description Job Summary

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START

Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE

Top Secret

TRAVEL:

Yes, 25 of the TimeDescription At 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 has an opening for a Senior Principal Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Engineering organization Flight Test Department. This position will be based in Palmdale, CA. 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.

Essential Functions:

• Remotely pilots vehicle to determine compliance with specification and operational suitability during experimental/ engineering/ ground and flight test events; demonstration support through specifically prescribed tests and maneuvers.
• Defines, plans, organizes and executes complex flight programs and flight test events.
• Conducts briefings and debriefings, and coordinates with maintenance personnel to analyze and correct vehicle discrepancies.
• Support engineering with development of test plans, procedures, and test cards.
• Attend Air Vehicle and Mission System Technical Interchange Meetings, Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, and Flight Readiness Reviews.
• Candidate may conduct demonstration flights with customers, government officials or other personnel to exhibit vehicle performance, flying qualities and system capabilities.

Basic Qualifications:

Must have a Bachelors degree AND 8 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Masters degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Ph.

D. AND X

years of related professional/military experience. Position requires experience in flight test operations Must be FAA Commercial Multi & Single Engine instrument rated pilot (or military equivalent) plus current FAA Class II Medical or higher. Minimum of 500 hours of flight experience as Pilot in Command and able to maintain instrument currency in manned aircraft Must be able to work the occasional odd shift (Nights and Weekends) Must be willing to obtain and maintain the appropriate medical clearance(s), as defined per the customer's contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment. Must be willing to obtain and maintain all training qualifications, as needed per the customer's contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment. 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. Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.

Preferred Qualifications:

Flight test experience Military flight experience highly desirable Previous experience operating UAVs Aviation instructor experience also highly desired Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. Active DoD Top Secret SCI clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

Primary Level Salary Range:

$156,400.00 - $234,600.00 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 candidates experience, education, skills and current spanet 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. Job and company information not to be copied, shared, scraped, or otherwise disseminated without explicit consent of JSfirm, LLC.