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Flight Test Technician 2/3-Active Secret Clearance Required

by Northrop Grumman

Job role insights

Date Posted

September 1, 2026

Employment Type

Full Time

Salary Range

$56K - $93.4K

Cost of Living

View details for Palmdale

Locations

Palmdale, California

Application Deadline

October 1, 2026

Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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 has an opening for a Flight Test Technician 2/3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals under our Specialty Test Team. This role will be located onsite in Palmdale, CA.

Please note: A start date for candidates selected will be determined after obtaining Special Program Access (SAP).

The Specialty Test Team is looking for an experienced Flight Test Technician with structural test experience, good communication skills, and a team-centric approach. In this role, you will be performing a variety of duties assisting mechanical engineers in the development of mechanical and electromechanical engineering designs, tests, fabrications, modifications, assemblies, and components. This includes the fabrication and assembly of new or modified mechanical components or assemblies. The selected candidate will also set up and test subassemblies under operational conditions, including fabricating and routing various hydraulic lines, stainless steel, and flex lines (cutting, bending, tube flaring, assembly). Prospective candidates will become familiar with the hardware and methodology used in closed loop hydraulic load control, test setup, and data acquisition hardware as well as related sensors, e.g., LVDT, strain gauges, string pots, load cells, torque transducers, and optical and audio sensors.

The selected individual must be capable of working as an individual contributor as well as part of a team. The selected candidate must be a motivated, driven individual with excellent communication skills, capable of successfully completing statements of work with minimal oversight/supervision. Individuals will follow the instructions of Vehicle Managers, Senior Technicians, or Engineers/Test Conductors, and must be able to read and interpret technical documents, such as drawings, schematics, sketches, procedures, and technical orders.

Potential shifts:

  • 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 1st shift; 5am-3:30pm
  • 4x10 schedule (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift; 3pm-1:30am
  • 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 1st shift; 5am-3:30pm
  • 3x10 schedule (Fri, Sat, Sun) 2nd shift; 3pm-1:30am

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Assist in the development, fabrication, and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical components, sub-assemblies, systems, and full-scale test stands
  • Devise, fabricate, and assemble new or modified mechanical components or assemblies
  • Load train assembly and various structural testing devices to measure push/pull force and stress
  • Participate in the development and documentation of sub-system and system test methodology
  • Execute testing in accordance with direction provided by senior technician/engineering staff
  • Maintain compliance with operational as well as Environmental Safety and Health directives
  • Plan, organize, and execute at task level
  • Participate in training efforts and maintain 100% compliance with all certification requirements
  • Required ability to be certified for a half & full face respirator
  • Adhere to all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety guidelines and regulations
  • Work and communicate over ambient noise
  • Work in a variety of workspaces/positions. Workspaces may include but are not limited to small, enclosed spaces, awkward, and elevated spaces. Positions may include bending, twisting, kneeling, crawling, ascending/descending ladders, and/or working overhead.
  • Ability to work flexible, changing shifts, including weekends

We offer multiple shift options, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

This role will be filled at either a Flight Test Technician 2 or 3 based on the relevant experience required for each role.

Basic Qualifications for a Flight Test Technician 2:

  • High School Diploma/GED and 2 years of related experience
  • Related experience would include but not be limited to Flight test, metal/iron work, welding, structures, hydraulic parts, assemblies, components, manufacturing electrical and/or systems.
  • Must be able to perform moderate strenuous physical and repetitious work, including bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting up to 25 pounds, and working overhead
  • Must be able to access small, confined spaces and work in enclosed environments
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
  • The ability to obtain Special Programs Access (SAP) prior to the commencement of employment, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business need.

Basic Qualifications for a Flight Test Technician 3:

  • High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of related experience
  • Related experience would include but not be limited to Flight test, metal/iron work, welding, structures, hydraulic parts, assemblies, components, manufacturing electrical and/or systems.
  • Must be able to perform moderate strenuous physical and repetitious work to include bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting up to 25 pounds, and working overhead
  • Must be able to access small, confined spaces and work in enclosed environments
  • Must have an active U.S. Government Secret Clearance or higher clearance, with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
  • The ability to obtain Special Programs Access (SAP) prior to the commencement of employment, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business need.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Aviation experience
  • Active Program Access (PAR)
  • AA degree or other two-year technical degree or Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
  • 4 years of structural testing experience, set-up through test execution
  • Demonstrated technical knowledge in manufacturing operations and procedures as it pertains to mechanical assembly, harnessing with a high attention to detail
  • Familiarity with Northrop Grumman Corporation processes
  • Comprehension with reading drawings, process specifications, and work order instructions
  • Proficient in the use of precision measuring instruments
  • Forklift/crane/boom lift certified

What We Offer:

At Northrop Grumman, we are on the cutting edge of innovation -- building the next generation of sophisticated aircraft to protect our country. Our diverse portfolio of programs means there are endless paths to cultivate your career. We are well-known for our inclusive, family environment, phenomenal learning opportunities, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers. We also offer exceptional benefits/healthcare and a great 401K matching program!

Primary Level Salary Range: $56,000.00 - $93,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $66,600.00 - $111,000.00

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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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).

Median Household Income
$81,151
Median Rent
$1,736/mo
Median Home Value
$435,300
Gasoline (1 gal)
$4.1
Restaurant Meal
$19.22
Milk (1 L)
$1.15
Eggs (dozen)
$2.51

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.