Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer - R10212571

Job Overview

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer – Payloads Field Service Engineer to the Avionics Integration Organization at NAS Whidbey, Oak Harbor, WA. The role focuses on operations and maintenance support of the MQ‑4C Triton sensors and communications systems at a Main Operating Base.

• Represent the organization as the on‑site engineer for communications, networks, and payload subsystems.
• 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, review and analyze engineering schematics, NGC and supplier design data, and functional test artifacts to troubleshoot system issues.
• Act as liaison for internal Northrop Grumman engineering teams to ensure repeated success, providing redlines to procedures when necessary.
• Provide real‑time support to flight operations and address any issues related to communications and/or payloads including MFAS Radar, EO/IR, airborne recorder, and Link
  16 (fault isolation, remediation, and resolution).
• Perform system performance evaluations and assist with trend analysis as needed.
• Coordinate with local site leadership and Active Duty/Government customers on technical matters requiring coordination between organizations.
• Confirm 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 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 approximately six months of training at multiple U.S. locations and will be assigned to NAS Whidbey. The position initially works a 9/80 shift, later shifting to 12‑hour shifts that may include nights, weekends, and/or holidays. Full‑time, on‑site work with up to 10% travel.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; or Master’s degree with 3 years; or PhD with 1 year.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification (e.g., CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, CISSP) within reasonable time.
• Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools, and equipment.
• Familiarity with payload operations or communications/networking operations.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with background investigation within past 6 years or continuous evaluation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SCI access, CI Polygraph, and Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; or Master’s with 6 years; or PhD with 4 years.
• Same certification, competence, familiarity, and clearance requirements as principal level.

• Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) certification.
• Demonstrated understanding of MQ‑4C sensors and communications payloads.
• CCNA/CCNP certification.
• Experience with test equipment: network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators.
• Knowledge of MPO/TC operator systems.
• System administrator experience.
• Operations and maintenance experience at a field site.

Primary Level Salary Range: $100,300 – $150,500.
Secondary Level Salary Range: $124,900 – $187,300. The range is a guideline; final offer depends on experience, education, skills and market conditions.

Eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses. Additional benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid holidays and PTO.

NAV Whidbey, Oak Harbor, WA.

Relocation assistance may be available. Clearance type:
Top Secret.

Travel required:

up to 10% of the time.

U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides the following EEO and pay transparency statement:
Northrop Grumman’s EEO statement and pay transparency information are available on the company website.