Ground Site Specialist

Northwood Space; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space in Torrance is seeking an experienced field deployment specialist to install, test, and maintain ground stations worldwide. You will solo-run deployments, supervise contractor crews, and represent Northwood on-site as the subject matter expert while away from the factory.

You will work with mechanical, electrical, and network equipment, commission installations, and document findings to support engineering and operations.

Qualifications

• At least five years hands-on experience installing, integrating, testing, or servicing complex electromechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Deploy new sites independently and lead local contractor crews through installation.
• Install and integrate site hardware including antennas, racks, cabling, motors, and power distribution.
• Commission new installations: inspect, power up, test, verify operation, and hand off.
• Maintain deployed sites and resolve field issues using test equipment and schematics to isolate faults.
• Document work, test results, open issues, and field findings; turn them into procedures for engineering and operations.
• Own the deployment area and field kits; ensure tools, spares, and equipment are available.
• Support integration, testing, and improvements at the Torrance facility between deployments.

Skills

Hands-on installation experience

Independent problem solving

Lead contractor coordination

Tool proficiency (hand/power tools, T)

Read drawings & schematics

Willingness to travel 50-75%

Safety awareness

Lifts up to 50 lbs

Tools

Electrical test equipment

Crimping & termination

Rack-mounted hardware

Job description

About Northwood:

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role

Northwood Space is looking for an experienced, hands-on specialist to deploy and maintain our ground sites around the world. You'll independently install, test, and repair ground station hardware, and represent Northwood professionally as our on-site subject matter expert while working away from the factory.

Responsibilities

• Deploy new sites independently, leading local contractor crews through mechanical, electrical, and network equipment installation.

• Install and integrate site hardware, including antenna assemblies, equipment racks, cabling, motors, and power distribution equipment.

• Commission new installations: inspect the build, power up systems, run functional tests, verify operation, and find and fix issues before handoff.

• Maintain deployed sites and resolve field issues on your own, using test equipment, schematics, and technical documentation to isolate faults down to the component level.

• Make sound decisions in the field and elevate safety, design, or scope concerns when needed.

• Document work performed, test results, open issues, and field findings, and turn them into procedures that help engineering, production, and future field crews.

• Own the deployment area and field kits, so every deployment and maintenance trip has the right tools, spares, and equipment.

• Help build work-order and issue tracking for field operations.

• Support integration, testing, and improvements at the Torrance facility between deployments.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of hands-on experience installing, integrating, testing, or servicing complex electromechanical systems.

• A track record of completing technical work and resolving problems with little or no on-site supervision.

• Experience directing contractors or technicians who are less familiar with the equipment.

• Comfort with hand and power tools, crimping and termination, and electrical test equipment.

• Ability to work from mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and procedures.

• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50–75% of the time, including to remote sites and internationally.

• Strong safety, communication, and organization practices.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work outdoors in varied weather conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace or satellite ground systems experience, particularly with deployed hardware.

• Rack-mounted hardware and network equipment, including servers, switches, and fiber and copper cabling.

• Low-voltage AC/DC power systems, wire harnesses, motors and drives, and control systems.

• Antennas, RF-adjacent equipment, or communications systems.

• Both new-site commissioning and ongoing maintenance or repair of equipment already in service.

• Building or using work-order systems, maintenance logs, or field-operations dashboards.

• Operating lifts, forklifts, or other heavy equipment.

Compensation:

Level 1: $34.00 - $40.00/hour
Level 2: $38.00 - $45.00/hour
Level 3: $42.00 - $51.00/hour

Additional Information:

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.