The selected candidate will be responsible for operations and maintenance support of the MQ-4C Triton sensors and communications systems at a Main Operating Base (MOB).
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Representing the organization as the on-site engineer for communications, networks, and payload subsystems
- Applying system knowledge to communicate complex technical issues to local site leadership, the Degrader Action Cell (DAC), Forward Operation Bases (FOBs), and Responsible Engineers (REs)
- Under direction of the DAC as system Technical Authority, reviewing and analyzing engineering schematics, NGC and supplier design data, and functional test artifacts to troubleshoot system issues
- Acting as liaison for internal Northrop Grumman engineering teams to ensure repeated success, providing redlines to procedures when necessary
- Providing real time support to flight operations and addressing any issues related to communications and/or payloads to include MFAS Radar, EO/IR, airborne recorder, and link16 to include fault isolation, remediation, and resolution.
- Following priorities set by local site leadership, perform system performance evaluations and assist with trend analysis as needed for Responsible Engineers (REs)
- Interact with local site leadership and Active Duty/Government customers on technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations Coordinating work with site leadership and confirming that Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs) are in place for all required work
Perform nominal recovery procedures and provide immediate feedback to Government Mission Payload Operators (MPOs) during sorties - Assist Government Air Vehicle Operators (AVOs) with Main Operating Base comms (voice), networks, and other AVO interfaces
- Capture relevant information from shift in logs, perform hotwash after sorties, and deliver pass-down to ongoing support team
- Attain and employ expertise across all supported sensor and communications systems
The selected candidate will undergo training (lasting approximately six (6) months) at multiple US locations such as Rancho Bernardo, CA, Jacksonville, FL, and/or Baltimore, MD with a final assignment location in Jacksonville, FL.
Initially, this position will work a 9/80 shift. As the program matures, the shifts will become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote work available for this role. Outside of traveling for initial training, this position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Basic Qualifications:
- T03: 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.
- T04: 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 with 3 years of related engineering experience.
- Must have an active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain SCI access.
- Must have the ability to obtain a CI Polygraph.
- Must have the 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.
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, 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 payloads operations or comms/networking operations
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP.
- Demonstrated understanding of MQ-4C sensors and communications payloads CCNA / CCNP Certification
- Experience with test equipment: network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators
- MPO/TC operator system knowledge
- System Administrator experience
- Operations and Maintenance experience at a field site
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 5 years related engineering experience; OR Master's in STEM and 3 years experience; OR PhD in STEM
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 8 years related engineering experience; OR Master's in STEM and 6 years experience; OR PhD in STEM with 3 years experience
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance (background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in 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
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification (examples: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, CISSP)
- Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools and equipment
- Familiarity with payload operations or communications/networking operations
- Willingness and ability to work full-time on-site, shift work (9/80 transitioning to 12-hour shifts), and travel up to 10%
- U.S. Citizenship (required for government clearance)
- Active DoD 8140 IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification
- Demonstrated understanding of MQ-4C sensors and communications payloads; CCNA/CCNP certification
- Experience with test equipment: network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators
- MPO/TC operator system knowledge
- System Administrator experience
- Operations and maintenance experience at a field site
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.





