Program Field Applications Engineer

Safran; Aberdeen (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Federal Systems is seeking an on-site Field Applications Engineer to lead deployment and support of GNSS simulation and PNT systems for US DoD customers. You will ensure test scenarios run reliably in a fast-paced environment and provide technical guidance to stakeholders.

You will travel to client sites, install and calibrate hardware, diagnose complex issues, and coordinate with Engineering and Technical Support to deliver results. Strong leadership and communication are essential."

Qualifications

• Five+ years in field applications engineering, field service engineering, system integration, or related technical role.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience with Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), GNSS, and simulation is a plus.
• Demonstrated technical leadership through leading integration or testing activities and coordinating work across teams.
• Strong hands-on experience installing, integrating, testing, and maintaining hardware and software systems.
• Excellent communication and customer-service skills; able to explain technical information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Serve as on-site technical contact for assigned customer(s) and provide responsive support for requirements and system operations.
• Translate client needs into deployment, integration, and operational recommendations.
• Lead installation, integration, calibration, maintenance, upgrades, and repairs per procedures.
• Lead system testing: preparation, execution, analysis of results, and follow-up actions.
• Diagnose complex equipment/software issues, identify root causes, coordinate corrective actions with Engineering.
• Collaborate with customer, Program Management, Engineering, and Technical Support to meet commitments.
• Evaluate system performance and feedback to suggest improvements to reliability and design.
• Communicate findings and risks clearly to stakeholders and teams.
• Develop procedures, provide training, and maintain records of testing and issues resolution.
• Manage competing priorities with minimal supervision and ensure timely support.
• Coordinate with sales for future opportunities to enhance systems at the site.

Skills

Field Applications Engineering

PNT/GNSS

System integration

Customer support

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

GNSS Simulation Systems

Electrical schematics

Job description

The Opportunity

As an onsite Field Applications Engineer, you will be taking the lead in managing, supporting, and maintaining the deployment of SFS’ GNSS Simulation systems and PNT products, alongside some of our strategic US DoW customers. You will be responsible for ensuring our customer(s) are able to execute desired test scenarios while leveraging the flexibility, reliability, safety, and robustness of SFS products. You will be supporting a highly technical and resilient system in a fast-paced environment that continues to evolve. Your engagement with our customers and feedback to our factory are instrumental to the success of our warfighters.

Our Technology

Safran Federal Systems provides Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (R-PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Safran Federal Systems is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies.

How I Will Contribute

• Serve as the primary on-site technical point of contact for the assigned customer(s), building strong relationships and providing responsive support for program requirements and system operations.
• Identify current and evolving client requirements and translate operational needs into application, deployment, and system integration recommendations.
• Lead and perform installation, integration, calibration, preventive maintenance, upgrades, and repairs in accordance with company procedures, technical specifications, and client requirements.
• Lead and support scheduled and unscheduled system testing, including preparation, execution, validation, analysis of results, and follow-up corrective actions.
• Independently diagnose complex equipment, software, and integration issues, identify root causes, and coordinate corrective actions or escalation with Engineering and Technical Support.
• Collaborate with the customer, Program Management, Engineering, and Technical Support to address technical challenges and meet program commitments.
• Evaluate system performance and client feedback to recommend improvements to reliability, product design, and legacy system functionality.
• Communicate technical findings, system status, risks, and recommend solutions clearly to client stakeholders and SFS teams.
• Develop technical procedures and user guidance, provide system demonstrations and training, and maintain accurate records of testing, maintenance, and issue resolution.
• Manage competing technical priorities within the assigned client’s program with minimal supervision, ensuring timely follow-through and professional on-site support.
• Collaborate with sales and business development team on future potential opportunities to advance the systems and capabilities at the customer’s site.

What You Bring to the Role

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in field applications engineering, field service engineering, systems integration, or a related technical role supporting complex systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience will be considered.
• Previous experience with Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and simulation is a plus.
• Demonstrated technical leadership through leading integration or testing activities, advising clients on application-specific solutions, and coordinating technical work across teams.
• Strong hands-on experience installing, integrating, testing, and maintaining hardware and software systems, including the ability to interpret electrical schematics, technical documentation, system diagnostics, and test results.
• Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose complex issues, identify root causes, develop corrective actions, and exercise sound judgment when additional engineering expertise is needed.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills, with the ability to build trust, manage expectations, and explain technical information through clear recommendations, documentation, demonstrations, and training.
• Ability to work daily at the assigned client site and commute to and from that location, adapting to client schedules, site requirements, and operational priorities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision, collaborate with client and remote SFS teams, and maintain accurate documentation and timely follow-through.
• Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain one (Top Secret). Prior military experience, knowledge of the U.S. defense industry, and experience working with government organizations or Department of Defense contractors preferred.
• Ability to learn new technologies and adapt to changing requirements while maintaining safety, quality, and client site standards, bringing a collaborative approach, ownership, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to travel outside of Aberdeen area to support other key customer sites. Potential sites include WPAFB, Eglin AFB and Redstone Arsenal among others.

About Safran Federal Systems

Safran Federal Systems has been awarded as a Winner of the USA Today and Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2026 Award.

In 2022, Safran acquired Orolia, now Safran Trusted 4D, the world leader in Resilient PNT. At the intersection of critical infrastructure and national defense, Safran Trusted 4D solutions govern and protect the integrity of systems that shape the world. In early 2019, Orolia Defense & Security spun off as a separate entity from its parent company Orolia, with the mission of providing resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Defense organizations, and their contractors.

In August of 2019, Safran Federal Systems acquired Talen-X, a U.S. company specializing in advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Simulation solutions and Interference, Detection, and Mitigation (IDM) technologies. Talen-X's portfolio was an ideal fit and has helped to enhance Safran FS's overall offerings. The acquisition enabled Talen-X's existing resources, operations and capabilities to be scaled and accelerated to better support the warfighter.

Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). As such, Safran FS Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.