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Principal OR Senior Principal Field Service Engineer - Network and Communications (DEPLOYABLE)

Today Flexible / Remote

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: 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.Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal OR Senior Principal Field Service Engineer - Network and Communications to join our team at RAAF Base Tindal in Australia. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization supporting MQ-4C Triton Program.
This position will receive daily tasking and prioritization from their site lead. The selected candidate will be responsible for operations and maintenance support of the MQ-4C Triton network and communications systems at a Forward Operating Base (FOB).
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Provide real time support for flight operations and maintenance addressing any issues related to communications and networking to include fault isolation, remediation, and resolution.
Perform field integration, troubleshooting, and repair of communications and data link systems in military flight test environment, including operations on a flightline, in a hangar, and in command-and-control centers.

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Adhere to checklists and procedures to ensure repeated success and providing redlines to procedures when necessary
Communicate complex technical issues to local support, the Degrader Action Cell (DAC), Main Operation Bases (MOBs), and Responsible Engineers (REs).
Support and lead air crew engagement for proper techniques in solving complex analysis of technical problems that arise during operations.
Assist with trend analysis as needed for Responsible Engineers (REs).
Perform/support review and analysis of supplier design data and definition of functional test requirements including acceptance, qualification, and system integration.
Responsibility for the testing, maintenance, and integration of Comms and Networks equipment to include radio terminals, software loads, switches, routers, and firewalls required to support ground and flight test operations.
Work with system admins, maintainers, and onsite personnel to troubleshoot and repair any internal operational issues.
The selected candidate will be put on a temporary Domestic Assignment and will report to our San Diego, CA site daily prior to international deployment while clearance(s), Visa(s), and other documents are processing. The employee will go through training in San Diego during this period. The expected timeline before deployment is 3-4 months but this will vary.
Initially, this position will work a 9/80 shift
. As the program matures, the shifts may become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site in Australia. There is no remote work available for this role. This position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time once in final location.
This position can be filled at either the Principal Field Service Engineer - Network and Communications level or the Senior Principal Field Service Engineer - Network and Communications level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Field Service Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related engineering experience.
Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools and equipment
Familiarity with comms/networking operations
Ability to support assignment at location (RAAF Base Tindal in Australia) for minimum of 18 months
Ability to pass a new hire physical if determined necessary by Company, based on OCONUS location.
Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to obtain and maintain SCI access.
Ability to obtain a CI Polygraph.
Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Field Service Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools and equipment
Familiarity with comms/networking operations
Ability to support assignment at location (RAAF Base Tindal in Australia) for minimum of 18 months
Ability to pass a new hire physical if determined necessary by Company, based on OCONUS location.
Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to obtain and maintain SCI access.
Ability to obtain a CI Polygraph.
Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:

Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP
Technical expertise in all areas of network and computer hardware and software interconnection and interfacing, such as routers, firewalls, switches
Experience with test equipment: network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification
Experience with communication technologies; examples include Internet Protocol (IP) networks, Voice over IP (VoIP), Information Assurance (IA), satellite and Line-of-Sight (LOS) RF communications, control interfaces, and co-site interference
* Operations and Maintenance experience at a field site
Primary Level Salary Range: $82,900.00 - $124,300.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $103,200.00 - $154,800.00The 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.

Client-provided location(s): Flexible / Remote
Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10207425
Employment Type: OTHER
Posted: 2025-09-12T20:16:05

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • On-Site Gym
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
    • Four-Day Work Week
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Relocation Assistance
    • Financial Counseling
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

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