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Principal Test Conductor/Senior Principal Test Conductor - 2nd/3rd Shift Lead

Northrop Grumman • Redondo Beach, California, United States

onsitefull-time
Posted Sep 29, 2026

**Role & seniority: ** Principal Test Conductor / Senior Principal Test Conductor; 2nd/3rd Shift Lead for Thermal Test Lab Operations (Levels 3–4)

**Stack/tools (domain): ** Thermal Vacuum testing; Thermal Cycle testing; thermal test equipment operation/maintenance; test procedures and hardware configuration; troubleshooting with Test & Quality Engineering

**Top 3 responsibilities: **

  • Lead 2nd/3rd shift team setup and execution of Thermal Vacuum/Thermal Cycle tests for flight & development hardware

  • Plan/perform test operations with limited oversight; define/manage team tasking and mentor technicians

  • Troubleshoot test anomalies; recommend procedure/component/hardware changes to meet testing specifications

  • Must-have skills:

    • Leadership experience on a project/team

    • Hands-on experience executing test procedures and setting up integration/test/assembly of mechanical hardware

    • Ability to operate/maintain thermal test equipment; advanced troubleshooting

    • Ability to obtain/maintain active in-scope SCI clearance access

    • Works off-hours/weekends; may require touch labor

  • Nice-to-haves:

    • Experience with space flight hardware

    • Prior thermal testing experience (thermal vacuum/thermal cycle chambers and support equipment)

    • Active in-scope SCI clearance access

  • Location & work type:

    • Redondo Beach, CA, 100% onsite

    • Full-time; 9/80 schedule (Mon–Thu 9 hours; every other Friday off); 2nd/3rd shift lead; **~10% trave

Full Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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. Embark on a career putting innovative, reliable, and agile products and ideas into orbit, and beyond. Northrop Grumman has opportunities waiting for you that play a vital role in human space exploration, national defense, and scientific discovery, supporting multiple programs across the universe. With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today.

Space Systems is an industry-leading provider for prime satellite and payload capabilities and directed energy and electronics solutions for national security, military, and civil customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible.

Space Systems Thermal Test Department has an opening for a Principal Test Conductor/Senior Principal Test Conductor - 2nd/3rd Shift Lead (Thermal Test Lab Operations). In this role, the selected candidate will be responsible for leading the 2nd/3rd shift Thermal Test Team in the setup and execution of Thermal Vacuum and Thermal Cycle testing of flight and development hardware.

Candidate will be a self-starter that needs little to no direction from leadership to operate in a dynamic test environment.

This position is 100% located in Redondo Beach, CA. This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Responsibilities include

  • Directly support Thermal Test Management to plan and perform test operations with limited oversight, across disciplines and departments.
  • Define and manage team tasking, supervise and mentor technicians during assembly and test of hardware.
  • Provide training to junior personnel in procedure execution, technical concepts, test setup and equipment maintenance.
  • Provides feedback to management for individual performance of assigned Thermal Technicians.
  • Review testing requirements and provide hardware/test recommendations to procedures or components to achieve testing specifications.
  • Lead advanced troubleshooting activities to assess anomalies and develop resolutions in conjunction with Test and Quality Engineering
  • Lead the configuration, maintenance, and operation of Thermal Test equipment.
  • Ability to perform touch labor when required.
  • Ability to work off hours and weekends.
  • Execute special assignments in support of the functional home room.

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including

  • Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
  • 401k
  • Educational Assistance
  • Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
  • Paid Time Off
  • Health & Wellness Resources
  • Employee Discounts

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications (Level 3)

  • Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum 5 years’ of combined experience supporting integration, test or assembly of mechanical hardware; OR Master’s Degree with a minimum 3 years’ of combined experience supporting integration, test or assembly of mechanical hardware; OR High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D) plus 9 years’ of combined experience supporting integration, test or assembly of mechanical hardware
  • Leadership experience on a project and/or team
  • Demonstrated experience in executing procedures and setting up tests.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain active in-scope SCI clearance access.

Basic Qualifications (Level 4)

  • Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum 9 years’ of combined experience supporting integration, test or assembly of mechanical hardware; OR Master’s Degree with a minimum 7 years’ of combined experience supporting integration, test or assembly of mechanical hardware; OR High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D) plus 13 years’ of combined experience supporting integration, test or assembly of mechanical hardware
  • Leadership experience on a project and/or team
  • Demonstrated experience in executing procedures and setting up tests.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain active in-scope SCI clearance access.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience handling space flight hardware
  • Experience with Thermal Testing, including operating and maintaining thermal vacuum chambers, thermal cycle chambers and support equipment
  • Active in-scope SCI clearance access.

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

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

Thermal testingTeam leadershipHardware assemblyTechnical trainingTroubleshootingThermal vacuum testingThermal cycle testingTest procedure executionEquipment maintenanceQuality engineeringMentoringSpace flight hardwaremulti-location

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