
Field Engineer 3 - Space AHT
Vandenberg Air Force Base, CAJob$94–141K/yrSeen 2 days agoSeen in employer's feed 2 days ago
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At a glance
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Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
Northrop Grumman seeks a Principal Field Engineer to support the Ground Based Midcourse Defense Development and Sustainment Contract at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The role maintains IFICS Data Terminal, GMD Communication Node Equipment, and Ground Fire Control and Communication systems, including troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades, and software updates. It involves customer interaction, collaboration across program teams, and an on-call commitment for emergency maintenance actions.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full 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 Space Systems – Launch and Missile Defense Systems are seeking Principal Field Engineer in multiple locations supporting the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Development and Sustainment Contract in support of the Missile Defense Agency located on-site in Vandenberg Space Force Base (Near Santa Barbara), CA
Essential Functions
Perform as a maintenance technician for the GMD team located in Vandenberg Space Force Base. In this role, you are responsible to support all IFICS Data Terminal (IDT) hardware and software GMD Communication Node Equipment (GCN) and the Ground Fire Control and Communication system (GFC/C) maintenance, scheduling, troubleshooting and repair. Support customer deliverables, process development, and improvement. This position requires collaboration and teambuilding across multiple program IPTs, sub-contractors, and extensive customer interface as well as an On-call commitment as directed by the customer for emergency maintenance actions.
Responsibilities
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Interface with the MDA customer on site as needed.
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Maintain GMD assets in a manner of system availability over 99% to the customer.
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Provides maintenance activities, property control, facility, safety, security and daily production related to the IDT, GCN, and GFC/C systems.
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Report all anomalies/ incidents IAW standard maintenance policy and procedures.
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Support customer site visits and provide briefings on upgrades and obsolescence issues.
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Attend site and program specific meetings, develop slides, charts, and white papers for decision making as required.
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Support the Ground Weapons Systems (GWS/GS) products hardware / software integration, upgrades, and repair requirements.
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Conduct software patching and anti-virus updates according to contract and SOW requirements.
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Travel will be required approximately 10% of time.
Basic Qualifications
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5 Years of experience with a Bachelors degree; 3 Years with Masters; 9 years years of experience in lieu of a degree.
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Active Secret Security Clearance and ability to obtain COMSEC and TS/SCI Clearance required.
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Certification meeting DoD 8570 requirements (e.g., Security+)
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Knowledge of local area networking (LAN) fundamentals with specific experience working with Ethernet routers, switches, and protocols in TCP-IP based communications system.
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Strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and ability to work unsupervised at a remote site and interface with a diverse group.
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Knowledge of Redhat/Linux, Windows and Virtual computing environments.
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Ability to travel up to 10% of time as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
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CCNA certified technician
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Practical experience with Active Directory
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Experience with SolarWinds applications.
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Experience in log file analysis.
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Experience with /understanding of COMSEC Handling, Taclane operations.
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IFICS Data Terminal hardware/software experience or training
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Experience with Windows, Solaris, Redhat/Linux applications desired.
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Process orientation and strong skills in using and following documented processes / checklists.
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Willing to work flexible schedule to maintain operational capability.
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Knowledge of military command, control, and communication systems.
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Strong Communications Skills.
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Knowledge of maintenance, logistics, and MMICS database desired.
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Team Player
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Understanding or experience with Satellite Communications
This requisition is eligible for ERAP in accordance with the Space ERAP criteria - Space Employee Referral Award Program (ERAP) (https://ngc.sharepoint.us/sites/NG00002134/SitePages/Home.aspx)
#SPEnhancedERAP
#CASpace
Primary Level Salary Range: $94,200.00 - $141,200.00
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.
Job Category: Engineering
How this job compares
Set against the 2,143 open Field Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 3, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$94–141K/yr
- California median$95–130K/yr140 salary ranges
- US median$85–112K/yr1,019 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $118K, is 5% above the California median midpoint ($113K) — in the middle half of Field Engineer salary ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 187 open Field Engineer jobs in California and 2,143 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- Kiewit35 open
- Shimmick16 open
- Tutor Perini11 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Field Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years at the median (1,332 postings).
- Education
- 935 of the 2,143 open Field Engineer jobs (44%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 3, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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