RF Systems Test Engineer Lead Level 4 (AHT)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

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 Defense Systems is currently seeking a RF Systems Test Engineer Lead Level 4 as part of the Production Test Engineering group for the AARGM family of missile programs. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Northridge, CA . There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Relocation assistance, although not guaranteed, may be available.

In this role, the RF Systems Test Engineer Lead will support development and sustainment of Radio Frequency (RF) Test Chamber and Equipment used in manufacturing and test of missile subsystems for U.S. Navy and U.S Air Force programs. The selected candidate will serve as the technical subject matter expert to ensure development test and production readiness, and will be responsible for the planning, validation, and sustainment of test facilities and equipment including technical data packages and associated process documentation. The selected candidate will act as the primary interface with internal stakeholders, operations leadership, and program management to ensure RF test facilities support development and production programs.

Success in this role will reflect extensive experience in leading and performing tests and measurement of wide-band, RF equipment and antennas including leadership of peer engineers, technicians, non-technical team members. Experience with RF anechoic chambers, calibration techniques, and equipment sustainment is required, as this position will demand both technical leadership and knowledge of development and production requirements. Skills and experience in multi-discipline engineering and cross-functional coordination are preferred, as the role will require the ability to balance technical rigor, cost, and schedule to achieve program objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary point of contact for RF chamber and equipment readiness, working closely with engineering management and program management to align the technical execution and deliverables with overall program objectives.
• Provide clear direction to the cross-functional engineering team, ensuring development and production goals are met, risks are mitigated, and issues are driven to timely closure.
• Identify improvements related to throughput and measurement accuracy to enhance quality, cost reduction, operational performance, and improve equipment effectiveness.
• Support internal program and business leadership by preparing and delivering briefs, program reviews, risk assessments, and product/program roadmaps.
• Lead cross-functional efforts related to rate and capacity engineering projects with teams of development engineers, manufacturing engineers and industrial engineers.
• Support proposal development and substantiation of related contract activities.
• Support capital, facility, and other resource identification to secure discretionary funding requests for equipment needs.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in a STEM field with 8 Years of experience; 6 Years with Masters; 4 Years with PhD or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience with production test equipment development, verification and sustainment.
• Experience with measuring test equipment effectiveness including availability, performance, and quality.
• Experience Leading cross-functional efforts related to producibility, rate and capacity engineering projects with team of development engineers, manufacturing engineers and industrial engineers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with related disciplines and teams.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities with a track record of navigating through ambiguity and developing actionable plans.
• US Citizen with an active U.S. Government DOD Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related fields.
• Experience in transition from Technology Development to EMD, EMD to Limited Rate Production and product life-cycle engineering. 
• Experience with Production Readiness Reviews (PRR).
• Experience with manufacturing capacity planning.
• Experience with estimating tasking including authoring and approving Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for Proposals.
• Experience in Missile Development and/or Airborne Systems.

Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00

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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.