Principal Field Engineer / Sr. Principal Field Engineer (AHT)

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the Time

About the role

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 Defense Systems is seeking Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) Specialists to fulfill the Field Engineer role in support of the JTAGS-Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) (JTAGS-P3I) program based out of Colorado Springs, CO. Northrop Grumman develops and deploys the JTAGS ground processing systems worldwide that receive, process, and disseminate Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) sensor data delivering timely warnings and cueing information in support of the theater missile-warning mission.

JTAGS consists of four strategically positioned detachments based in Italy, Qatar, South Korea, and Japan.

The JTAGS system consists of a wide array of equipment from satellite down link antenna and tracking equipment to networking infrastructure to client workstations. The core computer systems operate using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Prospective candidates should have a strong background and thorough understanding of Linux administration to include network configuration, software upgrades, remote management, and troubleshooting.

The JTAGS Field Engineer role requires a broad array of knowledge and skills heavily focused on systems administration, HW/SW troubleshooting, comprehensive corrective/preventative maintenance, intimate customer interaction, as well as routine status reporting to leadership. The prospective candidate should be comfortable with a wide range of physical activities in all weather conditions.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong work ethic and the ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-moving, dynamic environment. The candidate’s primary role will be deploying to the JTAGS operational sites to provide on-site technical support with up to 50% international travel.

Our ideal candidate will possess prior DoD missile warning experience. The selected candidate will, at times, represent Northrop Grumman and the JTAGS program at the forward locations. The candidate must be a self-starter, with the ability to work in the absence of direction, without supervision, and with limited instructions on any new work or special assignments.

Typical duties and tasks for this role are varied and moderately complex. The candidate will provide comprehensive support to the fielded JTAGS sites both from the JTAGS Support Facility in Colorado, as well as while on-site, with the ability to address/resolve most customer questions and issues in real-time.

This position is contingent upon program award.

Position Summary / Responsibilities

• Installs, operates, maintains, repairs, and modifies all aspects of the JTAGS System.
• Performs a variety of maintenance and technical support on products such as equipment, integrated systems and subsystems, and software at the field locations.
• Provides real-time technical support to the warfighter on all aspects of the JTAGS system (HW/SW) at customer and field locations.
• Provide onsite training of customer support personnel.

This requisition is open as a dual level opportunity. We will consider candidates at a level 3 or level 4:

Basic Qualifications

• Level 3: Bachelor's degree with 5 years of experience OR Master’s degree with 3 years of experience or High School diploma / Equivalent with 9 years’ experience may be accepted in Lieu of degree
• Level 4: Bachelor's degree with 8 years of experience OR Master’s degree with 6 years of experience or High School diploma / Equivalent with 12 years’ experience may be accepted in Lieu of degree
• Active DoD Secret Clearance investigated within the last 5 years
• Active DOD 8570 IA Workforce Improvement Program IAT Level II Technical Level Certification (Security + CE, CCNA Security, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, CND, SSC)
• Systems Administration experience (Preferably RHEL)
• Strong Linux/RHEL background
• Windows OS experience
• Strong troubleshooting skills – Quickly/accurately diagnose and resolve complex issues
• SATCOM antenna experience – maintenance, troubleshooting, operations
• Working knowledge of data processing hardware
• Mechanically inclined with working knowledge of standard mechanical tools
• Ability to work on-site in Colorado Springs with approximately 50% International Travel.
• Familiarity with any of the following: JTAGS, Air Defense, Space Brigade missile warning, missile warning systems, CRAM or other similar systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior JTAGS experience
• Prior missile warning program experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Training or advanced knowledge specific to RHEL, Cisco, NetApp, HP servers, and Dell servers.
• Familiarity and understanding of networking protocols VLANs, routing, subnets, network switching, network attached storage, firewall appliances, intrusion detection devices.
• Knowledge/Understanding of Engineering Principles
• Prior experience providing on-site technical (HW/SW) support.
• Experience formatting/imaging hard drives, managing backups.
• Familiarity with COMSEC principles and cryptographic equipment.

Primary Level Salary Range

$85,600.00 - $128,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$106,800.00 - $160,200.00

The 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.