Staff Field Engineer Secret clearance - 17355

Northrop Grumman; California; On-site; USD 146,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Field Engineer to support Sentinel Systems Test Team with field integration, test planning, and execution at ranges and customer sites.

The role combines hands-on equipment operations with engineering leadership, including test conductor duties, documentation, and configuration control. A DoD Secret clearance is required; travel about 10% is expected.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience in field engineering or missile maintenance.
• Experience with weapons systems, rocket/propulsion test assets, or heavy-defense systems preferred.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and maintain field procedures for Sentinel test operations.
• Lead test execution as Test Conductor with pre-briefs/debriefs and anomaly tracking.
• Perform hands-on installation, configuration, upgrade, and fielding of Sentinel systems and related hardware.
• Lead integration and readiness activities, verify configurations and interfaces, ensure safety and compliance.
• Coordinate field engineering changes and maintain documentation.

Skills

Field engineering

Aerospace

Leadership

Communication

MS Office

Test planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Associates degree

High school diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 is currently seeking a Staff Field engineer,

The Staff Field Engineer supports Sentinel Systems Test Team by planning, leading, and executing field integration and test activities at ranges and customer sites. This role blends hands-on equipment/vehicle operations (installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, modification, transport, roll-transfer, and stage-handling support) with engineering leadership including procedure development, test planning, acting as Test Conductor, and verification/validation of system performance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and maintain field procedures, work instructions, and checklists for Sentinel test operations (installation, roll-transfer, stage transportation/handling, AVE emplacement/retrieval, and equipment maintenance).
• Develop test plans and test procedures; lead test execution as Test Conductor, including pre-briefs/debriefs, as-run documentation, anomaly tracking, and coordination with range safety/test leadership.
• Perform hands-on installation, configuration, upgrade, removal, and fielding of Sentinel systems, roll-transfer hardware, stage transportation fixtures, AVE emplacement equipment, and integrated subsystems.
• Lead integration and readiness activities: verify configuration, validate interfaces, confirm equipment status, and ensure all prerequisites are met for safe operations and testing.
• Troubleshoot complex issues across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and controls elements; perform root-cause analysis and verify corrective actions through re-test/inspection.
• Coordinate field engineering changes and configuration control: implement approved updates, generate redlines/as-builts, and validate performance after incorporation.
• Execute/oversee roll-transfer and stage-handling operations using carts/rails/hoists/alignment tools; ensure precise and safe movement under approved procedures.
• Support loading, securement, transport, and offload of missile stages and related hardware using heavy equipment while ensuring compliance with handling, lifting, and transport requirements.
• Maintain strong communications with customer representatives, range safety officers, test directors, and operations teams regarding status, risks, constraints, and anomalies.
• Provide on-site technical guidance and training to technicians/operators/customer support personnel on procedures, safe equipment operation, and test execution discipline.
• Produce and maintain required documentation (test reports, maintenance logs, discrepancy/anomaly reports, configuration records, transport manifests, and chain-of-custody documentation).
• Operate and/or oversee operation of large vehicles and heavy equipment in compliance with range safety protocols, including required pre-checks and securement practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree and 12+ years of relevant experience or Associates degree with 14 years’ experience or high school diploma / equivalent with 16 years may be accepted in lieu of degree
• Field engineering or missile maintenance experience with progressively increasing responsibility; prior work on weapons systems, rocket/propulsion test assets, or heavy-defense systems strongly preferred.
• Proven innovation strengths and strategic value creation
• 10 years’ experience aerospace fabrication and design implementation
• Experience leading teams
• Strong communication skills including technical writing and verbal communication
• Proficient in MS Office Products – PowerPoint, Word, Visio, Excel
• Knowledge of test principles and processes
• Good organizational skills and ability to work with minimal direction
• Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualifications/certifications such as forklift, crane/rigging, aerial lift, fall protection, CDL, or similar.
• Certifications: OSHA, forklift/crane operator certification, hazardous materials handling (HAZWOPER or equivalent).
• Experience with range safety, explosives/propulsion safety standards, or defense contracting environments.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $146,300.00 - $219,500.00

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.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.