Principal / Sr. Principal Ground Hardware Engineer (Alice Springs, AU)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Polygraph

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.

Strategic Space Systems Division (SSSD) is an industry-leading provider for launch systems capabilities serving national security, military, civil and commercial customers. We are built on a heritage of providing innovative, affordable and reliable aerospace and defense products that our customers rely on to achieve mission success. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible.

Northrop Grumman, Strategic Space Systems Division, is seeking a Principal / Sr. Principal Ground Hardware Engineer to become a member of the Ground Terminal and Infrastructure Department, working as part of a motivated, diverse, and technically talented group located at a field site in Alice Springs, AU.

This position can be filled at a level 3 or 4

This role requires a two (2) year commitment and the ability to successfully pass a physical and psychological exam. Shifts are typically from 7:30am to 4:00PM Monday - Friday with only the odd occasions of off hours or long hours needed for special activities. A comprehensive overseas compensation package is offered with this position including relocation assistance.

A comprehensive overseas compensation package is offered with this position including relocation assistance.

Role Summary

The Ground Hardware Engineer provides operation, maintenance, and repair for the ground terminal architecture at a customer's site as a part of a highly skilled and specialized team, insuring the availability of critical mission system. You will leverage your background experience and skills to provide time-critical observation, assessment, repair, and monitoring of complex communications systems and data links providing sustained operation. Furthermore, you will articulate your recommendations to the customer to inform decisions on mission critical infrastructure and equipment.

• Provide daily activities and after-hours 24/7 response for the technical operations, maintenance, and repair of end-to-end communications capabilities

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and repair of communications systems and components for ground to space communication links

• Craft and execute preventative maintenance plans for large antenna platforms and associated equipment

• Apply technical knowledge of electronics principles to determine equipment malfunctions and apply skills to restore mission critical operations at the system, sub-system, line replaceable unit, and board level

• Operate, maintain, repair/replace, and install various types of electrical equipment and devices related to all aspects of satellite communications to include: antennas, servo systems, transmitters, receivers, mixers, switches, modems, upconverters/downconverters, amplifiers, network analyzers, noise figure analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscope, power meters, signal generators, fiber optic transmitters/receivers, waveguides, coaxial cable, and associated wiring and peripherals

• Apply Comprehensive technical knowledge to solve complex problems by interpreting manufacturer's manuals or similar documents

• Support development teams generating the next stages of mission execution infrastructure and systems culminating in integration, operation, and maintenance of these systems

• Utilize sound technical writing to document equipment failures, prepare status reports, and assist in developing concepts of operations (CONOPs) and improvements to the operations of communication systems

• Provide technical guidance to programmatic processes for future enhancements and system upgrades
  attend meetings with government employees and other contractor teams

• Demonstrate proficiency and initiative in daily activities and carry a professional attitude towards customers and colleagues at all times

• Position may require planned and emergency travel throughout the year to various locations within the region

• The successful candidate must also be able to satisfy the following physical demands:

  • Ability to work on elevated structures at heights of ~100 feet

  • Ability to climb stairs (~300 stairs/day)

  • Ability to lift and carry ~45lbs

  • Ability to work in narrow and confined spaces

• Perform other related duties as required

• Provide COMSEC support, as required

Basic Qualifications for a level 3:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline with 5 years of engineering/technical experience OR Master’s Degree with 3 years of engineering/technical experience OR High School Diploma/G.E.D plus 9 years of engineering/technical experience.

• Possess and demonstrates work related experience with the operation, maintenance and repair of RF Communication systems

• Possess system level test experience working with antenna/ground hardware

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance & SCI Access

• Ability to obtain/Pass CI Poly Examination

Basic Qualifications for a level 4:

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with 9 years of engineering/technical experience OR Master’s Degree with 7 years of engineering/technical experience OR High School Diploma/G.E.D plus 13 years of engineering/technical experience.

• Possess and demonstrates work related experience with the operation, maintenance and repair of RF Communication systems

• Possess system level test experience working with antenna/ground hardware

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance & SCI Access

• Ability to obtain/Pass CI Poly Examination

​Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance / SCI Access with a counterintelligence (CI) polygraph examination adjudicated within the last four years

• SATCOM system experience

• Experience with HVAC Units and power distribution equipment

• Previous experience working on location and/or in the field to support the Department of Defense and/or the Intelligence Community is highly desirable.

• Practical EW/RF systems knowledge gained through design, construction, and or tactical communications system experience; experience in military settings is a plus

• Ham radio experience/license beneficial

• COMSEC Experience beneficial

• Fork lift and Elevated work platform license/experience

Salary Range: $86,300.00 - $129,500.00Salary Range 2: $107,000.00 - $160,400.00

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.

Employees may be eligible for 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 committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA 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.