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Field Engineer/Principal Field Engineer-AHT

Rome, New York, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 50% 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 Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Field Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).  The incumbent will serve as a key member of the traveling installation team. This role is responsible for the on-site installation, configuration, and security of systems at various facilities. The candidate will work hands-on with hardware/software stacks, and coordinate directly with remote Tier 3 administrators to ensure seamless integration and compliance with all security protocols. This position requires regular travel to customer sites.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducts basic and applied scientific research to develop new technologies that enhance the United States Air Force’s operational capabilities.  It creates and prototypes advanced weapons, sensors, communications, and navigation systems that the Department of Defense can field in future platforms.  AFRL partners with industry, academia, and other government labs to accelerate innovation and transition breakthroughs from the laboratory to the battlefield.

This position is contingent on customer funding and approval.

Basic Qualifications for a Field Engineer

Candidates must meet ALL of the following basic criteria for a Principal Independent Assessment Engineer: 

  • Have one of the following
    • A high school diploma with 6 years of relevant experience
    • A bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of relevant experience
    • A master’s degree with 0 years of relevant experience
  • Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility  
  • Able to obtain IAT Level II certification per DoD 8570.01 such as CompTIA Security+ (formerly CASP+) or CompTIA Security+ within 60 days of start date. 
  • Experience with Windows/Linux server administration
  • Experience in network configuration and troubleshooting (TCP/IP, DNS, routing, switching).
  • Experience with Active Directory and user account management.
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and system hardening best practices (STIGs)
  • Ability to maintain meticulous documentation of all network connections, system configurations, and installation procedures for inclusion in system accreditation packages.
  • Provide initial technical support and system familiarization for on-site personnel post-installation
  • Experience acting autonomously at customer sites performing hands-on installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of server, network, and computer hardware

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Field Engineer

 Candidates must meet ALL of the following basic criteria for a Sr. Principal Independent Assessment Engineer:

  • Have one of the following
    • A high school diploma with 9 years of relevant experience
    • A bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) related field with 5+ years of experience
    • A master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) related field with 3+ years of experience
    • A PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) related field with 1+ years of experience
  • Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility  
  • Able to obtain IAT Level II certification per DoD 8570.01 such as CompTIA Security+ (formerly CASP+) or CompTIA Security+ within 60 days of start date. 
  • Extensive experience with Windows/Linux server administration
  • Expertise in network configuration and troubleshooting (TCP/IP, DNS, routing, switching).
  • In depth knowledge working with Active Directory and user account management.
  • Mastery of cybersecurity principles and system hardening best practices (STIGs)
  • Ability to maintain meticulous documentation of all network connections, system configurations, and installation procedures for inclusion in system accreditation packages.
  • Provide initial technical support and system familiarization for on-site personnel post-installation
  • Demonstrated ability to provide autonomous support at customer sites performing hands-on installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of server, network, and computer hardware

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • CompTIA SecurityX or CompTIA Security+ certification or IAT Level II / IAT III equivalent per DoD 8140 
  • Independent experience troubleshooting on production systems
  • Excellent verbal and communication skills
  • Familiarity with Risk Management Framework (RMF)
  • In depth experience in complex system and network administration in Cloud environments
  • Experience in a DoD or research and development (R&D) environments

Primary Level Salary Range: $69,000.00 - $103,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $85,600.00 - $128,400.00

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.

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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