Northrop Grumman careers in Florida in 2026: Melbourne, St. Augustine, roles, and salaries

Northrop Grumman operates two major Florida campuses that together account for some of the company's most critical defense and aerospace programs. The Melbourne site focuses on mission systems integration, electronic warfare, and advanced sensors, while the St. Augustine facility houses the longest-running production line in naval aviation history. In a year when the defense sector is adding headcount to meet rising demand from the Department of Defense, these Florida locations represent some of the strongest hiring pipelines across Northrop Grumman's 95,000-person workforce.

This guide covers every major role category, salary band, program assignment, and quality-of-life consideration for professionals evaluating Northrop Grumman careers in the Sunshine State.

Melbourne campus overview

The Northrop Grumman Melbourne campus sits on 109 acres adjacent to the Orlando Melbourne International Airport. The site encompasses 17 buildings with state-of-the-art facilities for system design, development, and integration. Melbourne is the operational heart of Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector in Florida, supporting programs that span electronic warfare, sensors, communications, and command-and-control systems.

Key programs based in Melbourne:

• E-2D Advanced Hawkeye systems integration — mission computing and radar subsystems
• MQ-4C Triton — high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned maritime surveillance
• IBCS (Integrated Battle Command System) — the Army's next-generation air and missile defense network
• Electronic warfare suites — countermeasure systems for multiple military platforms
• Advanced sensors and targeting pods — infrared search and track systems

The Melbourne campus employs approximately 1,500 professionals in roles spanning software engineering, systems engineering, program management, supply chain, and quality assurance. The site has seen steady growth since 2023 as several programs moved from development into production phases.

St. Augustine campus overview

The St. Augustine facility covers 151 acres and 38 buildings, sharing approximately 8,000 feet of runway with the Northeast Florida Regional Airport. This campus is where Northrop Grumman builds the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye from start to finish — a production line that has operated continuously since 1994 when Grumman Aerospace Corporation first established operations at the site.

Key programs based in St. Augustine:

• E-2D Advanced Hawkeye production — full aircraft assembly, integration, and delivery
• E-2D international variants — production of the first E-2D for the French Navy began in late 2024
• Aircraft modification and sustainment — upgrades and maintenance for fielded platforms
• Future vertical lift components — structural manufacturing for next-generation rotorcraft

The production line assembles more than 30,000 parts into a completed aircraft, producing an average of three E-2D aircraft per year. The site provides at least 900 direct jobs, with the broader economic impact extending to hundreds of supplier positions in the St. Johns County area.

Top roles and salary ranges

Florida-based positions span a wide range of disciplines. The following table reflects 2026 compensation data based on posted ranges and verified employee reports.

Role	Location	2026 Salary Range	Clearance Required
Software Engineer (T2–T3)	Melbourne	**$89,000–$135,000**	Secret / TS
Systems Engineer (T3–T4)	Melbourne	**$110,000–$165,000**	Secret / TS
Mechanical Engineer (T2–T3)	Melbourne / St. Augustine	**$85,000–$130,000**	Secret
Aircraft Mechanic II	St. Augustine	**$55,000–$78,000**	None / Secret
Manufacturing Engineer	St. Augustine	**$75,000–$115,000**	Secret
Program Manager (Level 2)	Melbourne	**$125,000–$175,000**	TS/SCI
Supply Chain Specialist	Melbourne / St. Augustine	**$72,000–$105,000**	None / Secret
Quality Assurance Engineer	St. Augustine	**$78,000–$120,000**	Secret
Electrical Engineer (T3)	Melbourne	**$105,000–$145,000**	Secret / TS
Cybersecurity Analyst	Melbourne	**$95,000–$140,000**	TS/SCI

Most engineering positions at both sites require at minimum a Secret security clearance, though some manufacturing and support roles at St. Augustine can start with an interim clearance or no clearance at all. Positions supporting classified programs at Melbourne frequently require TS/SCI.

Security clearances in Florida

Clearance processing in Florida benefits from proximity to multiple military installations, including Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Naval Station Mayport. The regional concentration of defense contractors means that the local DCSA (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency) office processes a high volume of investigations, which can slightly accelerate timelines compared to less defense-heavy regions.

Northrop Grumman sponsors clearances for qualified candidates. The typical timeline runs eight to twelve months for a Secret clearance and twelve to eighteen months for TS/SCI. Candidates with existing clearances receive a significant hiring advantage, and the company actively recruits transitioning military personnel from nearby bases.

Benefits and total compensation

Beyond base salary, Northrop Grumman provides a benefits package that adds substantial value to total compensation.

• 401(k) match — 75% match on the first 8% of base salary contributed
• Pension — employees hired before July 1, 2008 remain eligible for the defined benefit pension; post-2008 hires receive an additional company contribution to the savings plan
• Medical — choice of at least three medical plan options with no spousal surcharge
• 9/80 work schedule — available at both Florida sites, giving employees every other Friday off
• Education assistance — tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 per year for approved degree programs
• Annual bonus — discretionary performance-based bonus averaging 5–10% of base salary
• Relocation assistance — available for experienced hires moving from out of state

Florida cost of living

Both Melbourne and St. Augustine offer significantly lower costs of living compared to Northrop Grumman's California or Washington, D.C.-area locations.

Metro Area	Median Home Price (2026)	Cost of Living Index	Commute Time
Melbourne / Space Coast	**$365,000**	98 (near national avg)	18–25 min
St. Augustine / St. Johns County	**$425,000**	104	15–30 min
Redondo Beach, CA (comparison)	**$1,150,000**	187	35–55 min
Falls Church, VA (comparison)	**$780,000**	152	30–50 min

The Melbourne area sits along the Space Coast, offering beach access, proximity to Kennedy Space Center, and a growing technology corridor that includes L3Harris, Collins Aerospace, and numerous space startups. St. Augustine combines historic charm with modern amenities and sits about 40 minutes south of Jacksonville.

How to apply

Northrop Grumman posts all Florida openings on its careers portal at jobs.northropgrumman.com. Filter by state (Florida) and city (Melbourne or St. Augustine) to see current opportunities. The company also recruits actively at University of Central Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, University of North Florida, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

For engineering roles, expect a process that includes an initial recruiter screen, a technical phone interview with the hiring manager, and an on-site interview panel. The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from application to offer.

Growth trajectory at the Florida sites

Both Florida campuses are positioned for sustained growth through the remainder of the decade. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program has international orders in its backlog, including the French Navy contract that began production in 2024. Melbourne's mission systems work continues to expand as the Department of Defense invests in integrated sensor networks and electronic warfare capabilities.

The broader Space Coast ecosystem is also evolving rapidly. The region's transformation from a primarily NASA-dependent economy to a diversified aerospace and defense hub means that professionals who build their careers at Northrop Grumman's Melbourne campus have access to a growing network of industry opportunities without leaving the area.

For a broader view of what Northrop Grumman pays across all locations and roles, see our guide to the Northrop Grumman pay scale in 2026. If supply chain is your focus, check out Northrop Grumman supply chain jobs in 2026 for a deep dive into procurement, logistics, and materials roles available at the Florida sites and beyond.

Frequently asked questions

How many people does Northrop Grumman employ in Florida?

Northrop Grumman employs approximately 2,500 people across its Melbourne and St. Augustine campuses. The Melbourne campus has about 1,500 employees, while St. Augustine accounts for roughly 900 direct positions plus hundreds of supplier and contractor roles that support aircraft production.

Does Northrop Grumman sponsor security clearances for Florida hires?

Yes. Northrop Grumman sponsors Secret and TS/SCI clearances for qualified candidates at both Florida locations. The process typically takes eight to eighteen months depending on the clearance level. Candidates with existing clearances are preferred and may receive expedited offers.

What is the 9/80 work schedule at Northrop Grumman Florida?

The 9/80 schedule means you work nine hours per day over a two-week period, with every other Friday off. This schedule is available at both the Melbourne and St. Augustine campuses, though availability can vary by program and management approval.

Can I transfer between Melbourne and St. Augustine?

Internal transfers between Northrop Grumman sites are possible and encouraged through the company's internal mobility program. Employees in good standing can apply for posted positions at any Northrop Grumman location after twelve months in their current role.

What programs are hiring the most in Florida right now?

In 2026, the strongest hiring demand at Melbourne comes from the IBCS program, electronic warfare suites, and the MQ-4C Triton support contract. At St. Augustine, the E-2D production line — particularly the international variants — drives the majority of new requisitions in manufacturing, quality assurance, and supply chain roles.