Principal Simulation Technician/Federation Manager

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.

Put your skills to the test by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.  From global defense to sustainment and modernization to mission readiness, your experience and ability will make it a reality.  Our programs are built on equal parts of curiosity and collaboration.  Our combined effort means our customers can connect and defend millions of people around the world.  With Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the opportunity to be an essential part of projects that will define your career, now and in the future.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems sector (NGDS) is seeking a Principal Simulation Technician/Federation Manager to join our growing team of diverse professionals supporting our III Corps Mission Command Training program at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. The Principal Simulation Technician/Federation Manager provides training units with the simulation environment and mission command stimulation that fulfills exercise planning documents for the FHTX Mission Training Complex.

Responsibilities:

• Interpret exercise planning documents to best install and configure hardware, software, and networks on physical or virtual systems running Microsoft Windows (Pro and / or Server) and RedHat Linux operating systems

  • If exercise planning documents do not provide sufficient details; the employee shall research and use best judgement to fill in needed information for system configuration and operation

• When system errors occur, the employee shall evaluate error message(s), system / program logs, observed system operation deviations, etc. to best evaluate the problem(s) and attempt corrective action(s)

  • If employee cannot find a corrective action, they will inform team manager of the issue, if issue(s) require outside support the employee shall author problem ticket(s) with sufficient descriptive detail to allow help desk to understand issue(s) at hand

• Follow all applicable Information Assurance (IA) protocols defined by the Department of Defense (DoD) and our customer

• Maintain all applicable DoD security technical implementation guides (STIGs), operating system and application patches for all systems under their responsibility

• Ensure that backups of critical data are done within the capabilities and specifications provided by the customer

• Maintain user accounts on system(s) to which the employee administrates under DoD and / or system specific authority to operate documentation

• Serve as shift lead over junior systems analysts during shift work periods

• Act as team lead when Lead is not on duty

• Provide subject matter expertise in the areas of systems administration, military simulations, and stimulation of military tactical systems by simulation systems. Shall be proficient with current and future versions of simulation operating software and hardware fielded to the Mission Training Center.

Basic Qualifications:

• One of the following:

  • High school diploma or GED with a minimum of 9 years of Computer Science (CS), Information Technology (IT), Cybersecurity & Information Assurance (IA), or related technical experience

  • Bachelor of Science degree in CS, IT, Cybersecurity & IA, or related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of CS, IT, Cybersecurity & IA, or related technical experience

  • Master of Science degree in CS, IT, Cybersecurity & IA, or related discipline with a minimum of 3 years of CS, IT, Cybersecurity & IA, or related technical experience

• DoD IAT level II (SEC+)

• Must be able to successfully meet all training required of DoD computing environments for all supported systems within 6 months of hire

• Operational support experience with Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) in support of Corps and below level events.

• Experience as a federation manager of High-Level Architecture (HLA) and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) training federations.

• Experience in the configuration and operation of RedHat Enterprise Linux (versions 6 & above) workstation and server and Microsoft Windows (10 & higher) workstation and server operating systems (2012 & higher) in bare metal and virtualized configurations. Emphasis on Linux setup and operations.

• Working knowledge of the tools and techniques necessary to mass deploy over a network of 1 – 400+ Microsoft Windows and Linux systems on unformatted / un-configured hardware utilizing government provided tools

• Able to work independently and act as staff lead when section manager is unavailable

• Active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret or higher security clearance; applicant will be subject to a government security investigation.

• Must be willing to travel as needed (up to10% of the time)

• Must be able to support shifts that occur outside normal working hours to support 24/7 operations during exercise events that may be more than 40 hours per week

• Able to frequently move computer workstations and other equipment weighing up to 50 pounds around the worksite

• Ability to position into areas of the facility above and below desks / tables to facilitate hookup of computer workstations and peripheral equipment

• Must be able to work on-site at Fort Hood in Texas

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience with JLCCTC in support of Corps and below level events

• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Federation Manager of High-Level Architecture training federations

• Certification in Linux OS such as CompTIA Linux+, Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator or Redhat Certified Systems Administrator

• Experience with VMWare installation, configuration, and maintenance

• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification in Windows 10 and / or Server 2012

#NGSkills

Salary Range: $82,000 USD - $123,000 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 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.