UAS Pilot Flight Operations Manager

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

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available 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. The Global Hawk (GH) Test team at Grand Sky, ND requires a Test Pilot Engineering Manager 2 responsible for all facets of the Global Hawk Flight Test Engineering & Operations, including staffing, planning, execution and reporting in multiple technology areas. This leadership position is located in Emerado, ND. This position requires a highly motivated and self-starting individual with relevant test operations experience, who will be willing to support additional HALE or RQ-4/MQ-4 Series Programs as a UAV pilot and team manager. The Test Pilot Engineering Manager will orchestrate ground and flight integration and developmental testing for RQ-4 Series/Global Hawk aircraft in North Dakota. This manager must possess a strong background in flight operations to oversee integration and developmental testing of Grand Sky Global Hawk air vehicles, manages the flight crew schedule, and interfaces daily with mission planning, flight test engineering, and the Site Test IPT Lead. This manager directly interfaces with the Government Flight Representative (GFR) and is the POC for required Aircraft Operating Inspections conducted by the GFR/DCMA. Also responsible for the daily support of aircraft and ground shelter testing and managing the daily operations of Grand Sky pilots, sensor operators (SOs), flight test engineers (FTEs) and mission planners. May be required to coordinate with chase aircraft and chase pilot requirements. Will also fill the Section Manager role for all Grand Sky test pilots and SOs. In addition, the selected candidate will be responsible for managing personnel, coordinating with ground test engineering and operations, aircraft modifications for testing, frequent interaction with Engineering, and ensuring cost and schedule performance targets are met. The selected individual must provide program leadership for test site employees and provide timely resource forecasts to program management, assuring that proper staffing is in place to execute the Flight Test Statement of Work. The successful candidate will have frequent contact with internal personnel and external customer representatives at various management levels concerning operations, and will be responsible for scheduling specific aircraft and test resources and resolving issues that may arise over the course of the flight test program. The manager will have excellent communication skills, experience with flight-line operational requirements, experience leading test pilot and test engineering personnel, and be capable of working in a matrix environment with multiple sources of management guidance. The selected candidate may be required to support extended shifts, occasional weekends, and holidays as required to maintain program schedule as well as minimal travel to support specific Global Hawk programs and special tests, as required. The selected candidate will identify all test and test program risks, issues, and pressures and develop mitigation and closure plans. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM discipline and a Minimum of 9 years of relevant test experience with an emphasis on test engineering and operations OR Master of Science Degree in a STEM discipline and a Minimum of 7 years of relevant test experience with an emphasis on test engineering and operations FAA commercial instrument rated pilot (or military equivalent) RQ-4 Series qualified pilot Current Class II FAA Physical Minimum 500 Pilot in Command (PIC) hours and able to maintain currency Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance Preferred Qualifications: Active DoD Secret or higher clearance Military flight experience RQ-4 Series Instructor Pilot and Evaluator Experience working in a CTF environment Experience leading a flight test operations team Military Test Pilot School (TPS) graduate highly desirable Primary Level Salary Range: $139,100.00 - $208,700.00 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, Fargo , UAS Pilot Flight Operations Manager, Engineering , Emerado, North Dakota