Principal/Sr Principal Airworthiness Engineer

The Principal/Senior Principal 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). The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

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 technical AW staff in a System Design Responsible company.

Position may be filled as either a Principal Airworthiness Engineer (level 3) OR Senior Principal Project Airworthiness Engineer (level 4) depending on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications:

Principal: Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR Master of Science with 3 years of related experience; OR Ph.D. with 1 year of related experience

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 MIL-HDBK-516C

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

Work experience with domestic and international UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certifications

Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by business needs

Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR)

Preferred Qualifications:

Active, in-scope DoD Secret security clearance

Military aircraft development or modification experience

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)

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary 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 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.

Client-provided location(s): San Diego, CA

Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10217806

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-12-23T20:12:16