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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # System Test Engineer /Principal System Test Engineer - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Palmdale, CA, United States - **Salary:** $83,400.0 - $125,200.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), Microsoft Access, Java (Programming Language), Microsoft Windows, Agile Methodology, Systems Engineering, Confluence, JIRA, C++ (Programming Language), Linux, IBM Rational Software, IBM Rational Clearquest, Python (Programming Language), SAP (Applications), Software Engineering, System Testing, Test Data, Test Execution Engine, Virtual Machines, Scripting, Git, Atlassian Tools - **Published:** July 9, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9021153/system-test-engineer-principal-system-test-engineer ## About the Role The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman's Test & Evaluation organization. The selected candidate will synthesize customer contractual needs and requirements into system test solutions which acknowledge technical, schedule and cost constraints. They will perform a variety of duties in the electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, or software areas. The ideal candidate is detail oriented, organized, and able to learn challenging concepts quickly in a fast-paced environment., * Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 2 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 0 years of related professional/military experience., * Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Ph.D. AND 1 year of related professional/military experience., * Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs. * Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. government Top Secret clearance (must be in-scope or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation) and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time , as determined by the Company. * Capability to work with supervision and develop effective approaches to problem-solving. * Self-motivated with a strong attention to detail and thoroughness. * Experience writing Python scripts * Experience working System Test, SW Development and/or Systems Engineering * Experience with Windows/Linux operating systems & Virtual Machines (VMs) * Understanding of the software development lifecycle and agile development methodology, * Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. * Knowledge of system test and integration. * Experience calibrating and inspecting special test equipment * Experience creating, updating and executing test procedures * Security+ certification * Experience with IBM Rational tool suite (DOORS and ClearQuest) * Experience with Atlassian tool suite (JIRA, Git, Confluence) * Experience using software test automation tools/frameworks * Experience with Java, C++, or Python #Yellow ## Description * Assist in development, execution, peer review, and release of test procedures * Participate in both Formal and Non-Formal Test execution events * Participate in test planning, discrepancy report, validation testing, and post test data analysis * Provide support of required laboratory test artifacts * Effectively communicate test results and project updates * Willing to support multiple shifts and odd hours to accommodate testing efforts and lab schedules The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 10% may be required. We offer flexible work arrangements, 4/10 work schedule with every Friday off, 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. Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [SMART Test Automation - the experience of legacy transformation](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100215-smart-test-automation-the-experience-of-legacy-transformation) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Testing .NET applications a Tool box for every developer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/704-testing-net-applications-a-tool-box-for-every-developer) ## Related Articles - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [Should senior developers refuse interview coding challenges?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/29-should-senior-developers-refuse-interview-coding-challenges) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [What is a Test Plan: Guide to Test Planning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/191-what-is-a-test-plan-guide-to-test-planning) - [Quick guide: How to write a Software Developer CV](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/37-quick-guide-how-to-write-a-software-developer-cv)