Senior Principal Systems Engineer, UAV Sensor & Comms

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 123,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays / PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. seeks an on-site engineer to support MQ-4C Triton sensors and communications at a Main Operating Base, representing the organization and resolving technical issues.

This role requires active DoD clearances, STEM degree and years of experience; travel up to 10% and six-month training across multiple US locations before final assignment in Jacksonville. The position features a 9/80 shift initially, with potential 12-hour shifts, and no remote work, along with comprehensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM with 5+ years related engineering experience, or Master’s with 3 years, or PhD.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain SCI access, CI Polygraph, and SAP clearance within a reasonable time frame.
• DoD 8140 IAT Level II compliant certification (e.g., CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, CISSP).
• Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools and equipment.
• Familiarity with payloads operations or networking operations.

Responsibilities

• Represent on-site engineer for communications, networks, and payload subsystems.
• Communicate complex technical issues to site leadership, DAC, FOBs, and REs.
• Review engineering schematics, design data, and test artifacts to troubleshoot issues.
• Coordinate with NG engineering teams and update procedures as needed.
• Provide real-time support to flight operations for comms and payloads (MFAS Radar, EO/IR, recorder, Link 16).
• Perform system performance evaluations and assist with trend analysis.
• Coordinate with site leadership and ensure MAFs are in place for required work.
• Assist with recovery procedures and feedback to MPOs during sorties.
• Assist AVOs with base comms, networks, and interfaces.
• Capture shift data, perform hotwash, and pass down to support team.
• Attain and apply expertise across supported sensor and comms systems.

Skills

Linux

Troubleshooting

Payload operations

Networking operations

Engineering documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

Network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Job description

Northrop Grumman Corp. seeks an on-site engineer to support MQ-4C Triton sensors and communications at a Main Operating Base, representing the organization and resolving technical issues.

This role requires active DoD clearances, STEM degree and years of experience; travel up to 10% and six-month training across multiple US locations before final assignment in Jacksonville. The position features a 9/80 shift initially, with potential 12-hour shifts, and no remote work, along with comprehensive