Payload Field Engineer or Principal Payload Field Engineer

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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security.  Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter.  Come be a part of our mission!

We are looking for you to join our team as a Payload Field Engineer or Principal Payload Field Engineer for overseas deployment to the Middle East.

What You’ll get to Do:

Have an opportunity to travel to sustained operational locations overseas and develop your technical expertise across the engineering spectrum. Be part of our field engineering team that operates and maintains complex tactical communication systems worldwide. You'll also get to:

• Support flight line by performing preflight system tests and configuring  payloads

• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance

• Troubleshoot Hardware/Software issues

• Perform system and computer maintenance

• Operate and control data links during operational missions

• Be responsible for System Administration and Account Management

• Perform network troubleshooting

• Perform COMSEC Key Management

• Perform remote control and operations of a communications payload

• Develop procedures and generate reports.

• Work closely with the Active Duty/Government customer and collaborate with internal Northrop Grumman engineering teams

Extended travel up to 75% to hazardous overseas duty locations

This position may be filled as a Payload Field Engineer or Principal Payload Field Engineer.

Basic Qualifications Payload Field Engineer:

• 2+ years with Bachelors in Science degree; an additional 4+ years experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.

• Strong knowledge & understanding of Military radios or communications systems

• Experience with operating: Military radios or communications systems and general radio knowledge 

• Must pass a physical health assessment and meet the minimal standards of fitness in alignment with AFCENT requirements

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 75% (some travel to hazardous deployment areas) and multi-month overseas deployments

• ACTIVE Secret security (or above) clearance with the investigation completed within the last 4 years

Basic Qualifications Principal​ Payload Field Engineer:

• 5+ years with Bachelors in Science degree; an additional 4+ years experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.

• Strong knowledge & understanding of Military radios or communications systems

• Experience with operating: Military radios or communications systems and general radio knowledge 

• Must pass a physical health assessment and meet the minimal standards of fitness in alignment with AFCENT requirements

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 75% (some travel to hazardous deployment areas) and multi-month overseas deployments

• ACTIVE Secret security (or above) clearance with the investigation completed within the last 4 years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Link-16, VMF, SADL, SAT-J and/or JREAP

• Experience with operating; PRC-117, PSC-5, ARC-210, SADL, MIDS LVT1/2/3/11

• DoD 8570 IAT Level II or greater (CCNA Security, Security+ CE, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP, Linux +

• Network Certification (CCNA/CCNP)

• Experience with operating radio equipment (PRC-117, PSC-5, MIDS LVT1/2/3/11) and general RF knowledge

• Experience with military aircraft operations

• Familiar with JSIG security controls

• Candidate shall have broad experience with the operation, integration, configuration, and maintenance of military communications systems, networks, and radios.

• Candidate should have experience with commercial and military interfaces to include RS-232, RS-485, and MIL-STD-1553.

• Candidate should possess strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and the ability to read electrical drawings and schematics.

• Candidate should have experience with RF/electronic test equipment, electrical soldering, and mil-standard connectors. 

• Candidate should have strong knowledge with military tactical data links (Link 16, JREAP-C), Linux operating system, network fundamentals (IP subnetting, VLANs, TCP/IP, UDP,  basic switching and routing, tunneling, encryption), radios operations (load, program, and troubleshoot), RF theory, and aircraft navigation (GPS, INS) and power distribution systems.

• Experience handling COMSEC materials, following security guidance/procedures, and operating the Simple Key Loader (SKL).

Salary Range: $63,800 USD - $95,600 USD

Salary Range 2: $78,500 USD - $117,700 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.