Staff Field Engineer Secret clearance - 17355

Northrop Grumman • Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA

1d • $146,300 - $219,500

About The Position

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Field Engineer to support the Sentinel Systems Test Team. The role plans, leads, and executes field integration and test activities at ranges and customer sites. It combines hands-on equipment and vehicle operations—including installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, modification, transport, roll-transfer, and stage-handling support—with engineering leadership, including procedure development, test planning, serving as Test Conductor, and verification and validation of system performance.

The position involves coordinating with customer representatives, range safety officers, test directors, and operations teams; providing technical guidance and training; and producing records related to testing, maintenance, anomalies, configuration, and transportation. The role requires an active, current, in-scope U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at application. Travel is 10% of the time, and relocation assistance may be available.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; alternatively, an associate degree with 14 years of experience, or a high school diploma or equivalent with 16 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Field engineering or missile maintenance experience with progressively increasing responsibility.
• 10 years of experience in aerospace fabrication and design implementation.
• Experience leading teams.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including PowerPoint, Word, Visio, and Excel.
• Knowledge of test principles and processes.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work with minimal direction.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at the time of application, current and within scope.

Nice To Haves

• Prior work on weapons systems, rocket or propulsion test assets, or heavy-defense systems.
• Qualifications or certifications such as forklift, crane/rigging, aerial lift, fall protection, CDL, or similar.
• OSHA, forklift or crane operator, or hazardous materials handling certifications such as HAZWOPER or equivalent.
• Experience with range safety, explosives or propulsion safety standards, or defense contracting environments.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and maintain field procedures, work instructions, and checklists for Sentinel test operations, including installation, roll-transfer, stage transportation and handling, AVE emplacement and retrieval, and equipment maintenance.
• Develop test plans and procedures and lead test execution as Test Conductor, including pre-briefs and debriefs, as-run documentation, anomaly tracking, and coordination with range safety and 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 by verifying configuration, validating interfaces, confirming equipment status, and ensuring prerequisites for safe operations and testing are met.
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and controls issues; perform root-cause analysis and verify corrective actions through retest or inspection.
• Coordinate field engineering changes and configuration control, implement approved updates, generate redlines and as-builts, and validate performance after changes are incorporated.
• Execute or oversee roll-transfer and stage-handling operations using carts, rails, hoists, and alignment tools, ensuring precise and safe movement under approved procedures.
• Support loading, securement, transport, and offload of missile stages and related hardware using heavy equipment while complying with handling, lifting, and transport requirements.
• Communicate with customer representatives, range safety officers, test directors, and operations teams about status, risks, constraints, and anomalies.
• Provide on-site technical guidance and training to technicians, operators, and customer support personnel on procedures, safe equipment operation, and test execution discipline.
• Produce and maintain test reports, maintenance logs, discrepancy and anomaly reports, configuration records, transport manifests, and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Operate or oversee large vehicles and heavy equipment in compliance with range safety protocols, including required pre-checks and securement practices.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior