Flight Inspector 3/ Flight Inspector 4
Job role insights
Date Posted
November 7, 2026
Employment Type
Full Time
Salary Range
$72.6K - $121K
Cost of Living
View details for Palmdale
Locations
Application Deadline
December 7, 2026
Description
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 Aeronautics Systems sector is seeking Flight Inspector 3/ Flight Inspector 4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals located in Palmdale, CA.
Essential Responsibilities
Support test personnel to ensure compliance with documented processes and procedures. The Candidate will:
- Participate in pre-test activities such as review of test plan and test procedure documentation
- Verify that all pre-test readiness activities are complete
- Assess readiness to enter formal test events
- Ensure the physical and digital test environment and configuration is consistent with the documented configuration
- Witness testing to ensure approved test procedures are executed as written
- Ensure all defects and anomalies are documented
- Ensure all documentation is complete in accordance with prescribed procedures
- Verify that test results are documented
- Participate in post-test activities such as review of test report documentation and collection of test metrics
- Identify quality problems and recommend solutions
- Ensure equipment is properly calibrated and damaged items are properly dispositioned
Basic Qualifications
- Flight Inspector 3: High School diploma or equivalent and 4 additional years of education and/or related quality/mission assurance experience
- Flight Inspector 4: High School diploma or equivalent and 6 additional years of education and/or related quality/mission assurance experience
- Familiarity with aircraft/control element/lab unit screen verification
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings/specifications, blueprints, specs, and other technical documents
- Proficiency using inspection/measurement tools such as micrometers, calipers, height gauges, optical comparators, etc.
- Must have an active in-scope US Government Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain
- Must be able to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR)
- Telecommute/remote is not an option for this position
- Ability to work variable shifts, overtime/weekends as required and meet physical demands
Preferred Qualifications
- FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant License
- Preliminary Review Authority or previous Preliminary Review Authority is required with a first pass yield of 94% or greater
- Experience documenting nonconformances, inspecting and generating discrepancy reports, composite fabrication or inspection, assembly structure inspection, proof load testing, vibration testing, interfacing directly with customers
- Current program PAR
Salary Information
Primary Level Salary Range: $72,600.00 - $121,000.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $86,300.00 - $143,800.00
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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AviHire Cost of Living Snapshot: Palmdale, California
What aviation pay actually covers in Palmdale — AviHire's snapshot of median income, housing, and everyday prices from U.S. Census Bureau data (2023 5-Year ACS estimates).
Rent runs about 25.7% of median income in Palmdale — moderate by the common 30%-of-income guideline.
AviHire Cost of Living Snapshot, compiled from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2023), with fuel and grocery prices from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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