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Principal Airworthiness Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Principal Airworthiness Engineer

full-timePosted: Aug 3, 2026Updated: Sep 2, 2026United States-California-El Segundo

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Aeronautics Systems sector has an opening for a Principal Airworthiness Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position is based in El Segundo, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA. A hybrid/remote work arrangement may be considered for the selected candidate.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.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: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 experienceFamiliarity of MIL-HDBK-516B Expanded and -516CWork experience leading the development of Airworthiness plans, a Basis of Certification, and related activitiesWork experience with UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certificationsAbility to obtain a DoD Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by business needsPreferred Qualifications:Military aircraft development or modification experienceAbility to initiate Airworthiness Certification process improvement initiativesDoD and Civil Airworthiness ExperienceWork experience and familiarity with UAS/RPASDesign 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 ManagementExperience 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.Interactions with airworthiness authorities US DoD, or civil authoritiesProficiency in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word and SharePointA 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: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00The 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.

Locations

  • United States-California-El Segundo
  • United States-California-San Diego

Skills Required

  • UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizationsintermediate
  • UAS/RPASintermediate
  • oneintermediate
  • USAF Airworthiness Policy Directivesintermediate
  • Microsoft Excelintermediate

Required 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 (experience, 5 years)
  • Familiarity of MIL-HDBK-516B Expanded and -516C (experience)
  • Work experience leading the development of Airworthiness plans, a Basis of Certification, and related activities (experience)
  • Work experience with UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certifications (experience)
  • Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by business needs (experience)
  • 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 (experience, 5 years)
  • Familiarity of MIL-HDBK-516B Expanded and -516C (experience)
  • Work experience leading the development of Airworthiness plans, a Basis of Certification, and related activities (experience)
  • Work experience with UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certifications (experience)
  • Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by business needs (experience)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Military aircraft development or modification experience (experience)
  • Ability to initiate Airworthiness Certification process improvement initiatives (certification)
  • DoD and Civil Airworthiness Experience (experience)
  • Work experience and familiarity with UAS/RPAS (experience)
  • 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)
  • Experience with USAF Airworthiness Policy Directives, Instructions, and Airworthiness Bulletins (AWB) (experience)
  • 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)
  • Interactions with airworthiness authorities US DoD, or civil authorities (experience)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word and SharePoint (experience)
  • 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). (experience)
  • Military aircraft development or modification experience (experience)
  • Ability to initiate Airworthiness Certification process improvement initiatives (certification)
  • DoD and Civil Airworthiness Experience (experience)
  • Work experience and familiarity with UAS/RPAS (experience)
  • 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)
  • Experience with USAF Airworthiness Policy Directives, Instructions, and Airworthiness Bulletins (AWB) (experience)
  • 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)
  • Interactions with airworthiness authorities US DoD, or civil authorities (experience)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word and SharePoint (experience)
  • 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). (experience)

Responsibilities

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

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