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Airworthiness Engineer/Principal Airworthiness Engineer

Salary
$91.8K–$137.6K
USD
Moves you to
United States
Support
Relocation support
Posted
Sep 24, 2026
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RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top 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.

The Airworthiness Engineer/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). This position is on-site in Rancho Bernardo, CA.


This position can be filled at either the Airworthiness Engineer level or the Principal Airworthiness Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.


Essential Duties:

  • 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).

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:

Airworthiness Engineer (T2):

  • Bachelors in STEM discipline with 2 years, or Master's with 0 years
  • Familiarity of MIL-HDBK-516B Expanded and -516C
  • Work experience with the development of Airworthiness plans, a Basis of Certification, and related activities
  • Work experience with airworthiness authorizations and type certifications
  • Active and current U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP).
  • Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government in-scope DoD Top Secret security clearance (needed to start).

Basic Qualifications:

Principal Airworthiness Engineer (T3):

  • Bachelors in STEM discipline with 5 years, or Master's with 3 years
  • Familiarity of MIL-HDBK-516B Expanded and -516C
  • Work experience with the development of Airworthiness plans, a Basis of Certification, and related activities
  • Work experience with airworthiness authorizations and type certifications
  • Active and current U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP).
  • Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government in-scope DoD Top Secret security clearance (needed to start).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Military aircraft development or modification experience
  • Ability to initiate Airworthiness Certification process
  • 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)
  • Interactions with airworthiness authorities US DoD, or civil authorities
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word and SharePoint
  • A current active U.S. Government in-scope DoD Top Secret security clearance and Special Program Access (PAR/SAP).





Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

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

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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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