Ground System Engineer – (Alice Springs, AU)

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 SSSD is seeking a Ground System Engineer to become a member of the Ground Terminal and Infrastructure Department, working as part of a motivated, diverse, and technically talented group located at a field site in Alice Springs, AU.

Role Description

The Ground Hardware Engineer provides operation, maintenance, and repair for the ground terminal architecture at a customer's site as a part of a highly skilled and specialized team, insuring the availability of critical mission system. You will leverage your background experience and skills to provide time-critical observation, assessment, repair, and monitoring of complex communications systems and data links providing sustained operation. Furthermore, you will articulate your recommendations to the customer to inform decisions on mission critical infrastructure and equipment.

• Provide daily activities and after-hours 24/7 response for the technical operations, maintenance, and repair of end-to-end communications capabilities

• Partakes in the operation, maintenance, and repair of communications systems and components for ground to space communication links

• Craft and execute preventative maintenance plans for large antenna platforms and associated equipment

• Apply technical knowledge of electronics principles to determine equipment malfunctions and apply skills to restore mission critical operations at the system, sub-system, line replaceable unit, and board level

• Operate, maintain, repair/replace, and install various types of electrical equipment and devices related to all aspects of satellite communications to include: antennas, servo systems, transmitters, receivers, mixers, switches, modems, upconverters/downconverters, amplifiers, network analyzers, noise figure analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscope, power meters, signal generators, fiber optic transmitters/receivers, waveguides, coaxial cable, and associated wiring and peripherals

• Apply comprehensive technical knowledge to solve complex problems by interpreting manufacturer's manuals or similar documents with the support of senior engineers

• Support development teams generating the next stages of mission execution infrastructure and systems culminating in integration, operation, and maintenance of these systems

• Utilize sound technical writing to document equipment failures, prepare status reports, and assist in developing concepts of operations (CONOPs) and improvements to the operations of communication systems

• Provide technical guidance to programmatic processes for future enhancements and system upgrades attend meetings with government employees and other contractor teams

• Demonstrate understanding and initiative in daily activities and carry a professional attitude towards customers and colleagues at all times

• Position may require planned and emergency travel throughout the year to various locations within the region

• Perform other related duties as required

• Provide COMSEC support, as required

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with two (2) years of experience; OR Master’s Degree; OR six (6) years of experience in lieu of degree

• SATCOM system experience

• Possess and demonstrates direct work related experience with the operation, maintenance and repair of RF Communication systems

• Possess system level test experience working with antenna/ground hardware

• Active and in scope TS/SCI with CI Polygraph

• The successful candidate must also be able to satisfy the following physical demands:

  • Ability to work on elevated structures at heights of ~100 feet

  • Ability to climb stairs (~300 stairs/day)

  • Ability to lift and carry ~45lbs

  • Ability to work in narrow and confined spaces
     

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HVAC Units and power distribution equipment

• Previous experience working on location and/or in the field to support the Department of Defense and/or the Intelligence Community is highly desirable.

• Practical EW/RF systems knowledge gained through design, construction, and or tactical communications system experience; experience in military settings is a plus

• Ham radio experience/license beneficial

• COMSEC Experience beneficial

• Fork lift and Elevated work platform license/experience

Salary Range: $77,100 USD - $115,700 USD

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.