Consulting Airworthiness Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Melbourne
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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 (NGAS) has an exciting career opportunity within the Airworthiness & Weapon Systems Cybersecurity organization (AWWSC) for a Consulting Airworthiness Engineer to join our team. This position reports to the NGAS Director of AWWSC and will lead the Airworthiness Lead Sector (AWLS). This position will be located in Melbourne, FL. The AWLS is responsible for airworthiness governance and compliance across all Northrop Grumman sectors and works closely with the functions and business divisions across many sites to ensure cross-sector communication and collaboration. The AWLS develops principles and operating practices for airworthiness and works across the enterprise to ensure that they are understood and followed. The AWLS also captures and shares best practices, identifies and mitigates risk, and develops and refines strategic airworthiness goals across the company. Key Responsibilities : Provide technical leadership to enable independent governance of all airworthiness activities of the company, to include maintaining cognizance of and assisting with areas including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Repair Stations, company-owned aircraft, FAA Designees, regulatory and guidance material, and airworthiness directives. Serve as consultant to leadership in long-range planning of the AWLS, being the prime spokesperson on company’s airworthiness capabilities and future directions. Mentor junior engineers to ensure awareness of airworthiness rigor and its importance for the success of the company. Develop airworthiness compliance metrics and communicate results to executive leadership. Identify airworthiness risk areas associated with achieving compliance with government and/or customer airworthiness requirements, as well as with company airworthiness policies, processes, and procedures. Recommend risk mitigation courses of action to leadership. Conduct independent airworthiness audits and assessments across all sectors. Work closely with the NGAS airworthiness executive and the AWLS Sector Advisory Board to review, assess, and to ensure airworthiness compliance is being met across all sectors. Advise and recommend courses of action to resolve multi-sector airworthiness issues. Develop new and maintain existing policies, procedures, manuals, and other documentation required to execute AWLS roles and responsibilities. Ensure company-wide awareness of emerging and new government and customer airworthiness requirements. Determine potential impacts to the business and make recommendations to leadership on possible courses of action. Develop training materials and provide training workshops. Provide airworthiness subject matter expert support as required to each sector throughout the air system product lifecycle. In particular, support company-owned flying test bed aircraft operations by thoroughly understanding the applicable FAA regulations and/or customer requirements. Coordinate, plan, and support several executive meetings focused on providing leadership with status and direction of AWLS activities. Strategize solutions and make recommendations to leadership to resolve issues that impact the ability to safely and efficiently develop, certify, field, and sustain air systems compliant with airworthiness regulations. Basic Qualifications : 16 years with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); OR 14 years with Master's of Science degree in STEM; OR 12 years with PhD in STEM Work experience with manned and unmanned aircraft systems with a minimum of 15 years professional experience including focused experience in airworthiness Military and/or civil aircraft development or modification experience Department of Defense and civil airworthiness experience Must have an active DoD Secret (or higher) 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 Preferred Qualifications : Experience collaborating and coordinating with many stakeholders in a variety of roles and functions, e.g., Global Supply Chain, Legal, Engineering, Manufacturing, Test & Evaluation, Communications, Environmental Health & Safety, Safety Management Systems, and others Knowledge and understanding of MIL-HDBK-516 and FAA regulations, e.g., Parts 21, 23, and 25 Experience collaborating across multiple Northrop Grumman sectors Experience with small unmanned aircraft systems and FAA Title 14 CFR Part 107 regulations Experience performing audits and root cause corrective action analysis Experience developing and delivering training Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance Primary Level Salary Range: $183,200.00 - $274,800.00 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Port Orange , Consulting Airworthiness Engineer, Engineering , Melbourne, Florida