Sr. Staff Systems Integration & Test Engineer Lead - APG 81 / Airborne Radar

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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. 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’ Baltimore and Partnered Sites (BaPs) division is seeking a

Sr. Staff Systems Integration & Test (SI&T) Engineer Lead – APG‑81 / Airborne Radar

in Baltimore, MD to support the Airborne Multifunction Sensors Business Unit. This role is focused on leadership of complex airborne radar system hardware integration and test activities, with particular emphasis on APG‑81 radar sensor hardware and associated laboratories, test benches, and flight test campaigns. The successful candidate will be a recognized subject matter expert in radar system hardware integration and test, with deep experience leading multidisciplinary teams, executing lab and flight test programs, and troubleshooting radar hardware in both lab and field environments. Candidates should have very strong knowledge of production and system hardware follow, mode integration, and system acceptance testing and a strong understanding of radar system hardware and test environments. This position will work within a team environment consisting of engineering, program management, technical, production, and supporting staff. The ideal candidate will have strong teamworking skills and exhibit comprehensive verbal and written communication and presentation skills. This individual will be responsible for communication of accomplishments, status, and challenges to internal and external stakeholders. This position is based in Baltimore, MD, requires being onsite, and does not support remote or hybrid work. Typical Responsibilities Lead

system-level hardware integration and test

for advanced airborne radar systems (with emphasis on APG‑81 and similar tactical fighter radar architectures) from integration through sell‑off and delivery. Perform

production follow

of radar systems and line-replaceable units (LRUs) through their life cycle to ensure timely sell‑off and delivery, including responsibility for

System Acceptance Testing

and resolution of hardware issues discovered during test. Own and manage

system integration laboratories and system test benches , including APG‑81‑like System Integration Labs (SILs), radar system test benches, and associated range and support equipment. Be responsible for

lab asset configuration

and readiness, working across software, hardware, test, and operations teams to ensure availability of all required configurations and test assets. Lead or support

mode integration shifts

for radar and associated subsystems, providing on‑console technical leadership for integration, troubleshooting system anomalies, and coordinating with software, antenna, receiver/exciter, and EW stakeholders. Serve as

technical lead and liaison

to flight test organizations, including planning and execution of radar flight test activities, participation as flight test director when required, and onsite support during deployments. Be responsible for

Configuration and Data Management (CM/DM) processes

for Systems I&T products, including test procedures, test scripts, test reports, and lab configuration records. Develop and perform

verification plans and reports

that decompose system and program requirements into test requirements, and ensure traceability through execution. Lead the

development and peer review of test documentation , including test plans, procedures, quick‑look tools, and automated test scripts (e.g., MATLAB‑based automated test environments). Develop and support

Specialty, Lab, Ground, and Flight Test Programs

for airborne radar systems, including definition of

test facility requirements

and coordination with internal and external test ranges. Serve as a

liaison between union technicians and supported programs , providing technical direction, priorities, and mentorship to technicians and junior engineers on integration and test tasks. Frequently interact with

suppliers and customer organizations , including travel to supplier and customer test sites to support lab issues, range operations, and field troubleshooting of radar hardware. Support

management of program risk databases , contributing to the identification, characterization, and mitigation planning of technical, schedule, and integration risks associated with radar SI&T. Lead or support

Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA)

efforts for complex radar hardware and system issues, working across disciplines and organizations to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions. Provide

technical mentoring and knowledge sharing

for radar hardware and SI&T processes, including development and delivery of internal radar hardware courses and contribution to internal knowledge bases and wikis. The selected candidate will perform in a fast‑paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings. The selected candidate is expected to be technically savvy, self‑motivated, highly organized, and detail‑oriented and possess effective verbal and written communication skills. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 14 years of relevant experience; a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 12 years of relevant experience; or a PhD with 10 years of experience in a STEM discipline. An additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Significant

system integration and test experience on complex airborne radar systems , including hardware system test, lab integration, and test procedure development. Demonstrated expertise with

radar system hardware , including antennas, transmit/receive modules (TRMs), radar LRUs, and associated test equipment and range assets. Experience working in a

multi‑disciplinary team environment , collaborating with software, antenna, receiver/exciter, EW, systems engineering, manufacturing, and test disciplines. Hands‑on experience with

Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) programs , including mode integration, system acceptance testing, and hardware sell‑off. Proven

problem‑solving skills , including experience identifying root cause, innovating test or troubleshooting approaches, and implementing corrective actions on complex radar hardware issues. Demonstrated experience

tracking milestones and executing tasks in accordance with approved program schedules , including coordination of integration and test activities across multiple stakeholders and sites. Experience generating

technical documents , including test procedures, test reports, and technical presentations, and working with software/data processing tools such as MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and MATLAB or similar environments. Understanding of

common Test Engineering methodologies and practices , including automated test environments, lab and flight test data analysis, and test configuration control. Strong

collaboration and communication skills , with experience interfacing directly with customers, suppliers, and internal leadership. U.S. Citizenship required. Active U.S. Government

Secret clearance

and the ability to obtain and maintain

Special Program Access (SAP)

within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company. Knowledge of radar systems , including airborne fire‑control radar architectures (e.g., APG‑81 or similar) and related mission systems. Understanding of

Systems Engineering concepts , including requirements analysis, decomposition into test requirements, and verification planning and execution. Solid

verbal and written communication skills

to effectively communicate internally and externally. Ability to work

onsite in Baltimore, MD . Preferred Qualifications Deep, hands‑on experience with

APG‑81 or similar advanced tactical fighter radar systems , including hardware system test, SIL operations, range operations, and flight test support. Extensive experience on

APG‑81 System Integration Labs and System Test Benches , including test bench architecture, test equipment configuration, and range integration. Demonstrated expertise in

flight test operations for radar systems , including system installation, on‑aircraft operations, serving as flight test director, and supporting multiple flight test deployments. Experience developing and using

automated test environments and scripts , such as MATLAB‑based test and control software, for radar hardware/system verification and troubleshooting. Strong knowledge of

Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) and production system hardware follow and integration , including coordination with production lines and external manufacturing partners. Demonstrated leadership in

troubleshooting complex radar hardware issues , including TRM anomalies, antenna interface issues, and systemic LRU or board‑level problems across suppliers and internal IPTs. At least 2 years’ experience supporting the

development, integration, testing, or production of sensor systems (radar or related mission systems)

within a major airborne platform program (such as the Joint Strike Fighter/F‑35). Demonstrated experience

leading or coordinating activities across dispersed teams , including collaboration with personnel at multiple sites, supplier locations, or customer test ranges. Experience with

EMI/EMC and environmental qualification testing

of radar or mission system hardware. Experience serving as a

technical liaison with prime contractors and end‑user customers , including participation in technical fact‑finding meetings and initiatives to reduce ReTest‑OK (RTOK) rates or other systemic failure modes. Prior

military radar maintenance or operations experience

(e.g., U.S. Air Force ground radar maintenance) and a strong radar hardware background. Experience developing and delivering

technical training and mentoring

for radar hardware and system integration concepts, and contributing to internal knowledge sharing systems (e.g., technical wikis, internal courses). This position in contingent upon the ability to successfully transfer Secret Clearance and obtain a SAP clearance prior to start. Primary Level Salary Range: $184,100.00 - $276,100.00The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.