
Payload Operator Field Engineer Level 2 / 3 (OCONUS)
Compensation
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Job Description
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 Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Payload Operator Field Engineer Level 2 or 3 for deployment to overseas locations.
While this OCONUS ( Outside the Continental U.S.) position reports to the San Diego Field Engineering office, the candidate can be based anywhere in the USA, with no relocation required. However, it requires extensive travel (up to 75%) to classified/restricted, hazardous duty locations, including multi-month overseas deployments. A US home of record is required.
Note: As an international assignee, you will be eligible to receive international assignment benefits, allowances and/or premiums negotiated between Northrop Grumman and the customer which will be communicated to you in advance of your assignment start date and memorialized in an International Assignment Agreement (“IAA”) between you and the Company.
What You’ll get to Do:
Have an opportunity to travel to sustained operational locations overseas and develop your technical expertise across the engineering spectrum. Be part of our field engineering team that operates and maintains complex tactical communication systems worldwide. You'll also get to:
Support flight line by performing preflight system tests and configuring payloads
Perform preventative and corrective maintenance
Perform system and computer maintenance
Operate and control data links during operational missions
Perform COMSEC Key Management
Perform remote control and operations of a communications payload
Work closely with the Active Duty/Government customer and collaborate with internal Northrop Grumman engineering teams
This position may be filled as a Payload Operator Field Engineer Level 2 or Payload Operator Field Engineer Level 3.
Basic Qualifications Payload Operator Field Engineer Level 2:
Bachelor of Science degree 2+ years’ experience; an additional 4 years experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Strong knowledge, understanding & experience with operating Military radios or communications systems.
Strong knowledge, understanding & experience with operating Link 16 and SADL network equipment.
Experience handling COMSEC materials, following security guidance/procedures, and operating the Simple Key Loader (SKL).
Must pass a physical health assessment and meet the minimal standards of fitness in alignment with AFCENT requirements.
Candidate will be required to perform physically demanding work, to include working in austere, restricted access spaces on US Military installations, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, up to 12 hours per day.
Must be willing and able to travel up to 75% (some travel to hazardous deployment areas) and multi-month overseas deployments.
U.S. Citizenship and a current / active DoD Secret level clearance required.
Basic Qualifications Payload Operator Field Engineer Level 3:
Bachelor of Science degree 5+ years’ experience; an additional 4 years experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Strong knowledge, understanding & experience with operating Military radios or communications systems.
Strong knowledge, understanding & experience with operating Link 16 and SADL network equipment.
Experience handling COMSEC materials, following security guidance/procedures, and operating the Simple Key Loader (SKL).
Must pass a physical health assessment and meet the minimal standards of fitness in alignment with AFCENT requirements.
Candidate will be required to perform physically demanding work, to include working in austere, restricted access spaces on US Military installations, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, up to 12 hours per day.
Must be willing and able to travel up to 75% (some travel to hazardous deployment areas) and multi-month overseas deployments.
U.S. Citizenship and a current / active DoD Secret level clearance required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience capturing and reporting operational metrics.
Progression in Joint Interoperability & Data Link Training Center (JID-TC) training pipeline (JT-101 thru JDNO).
Broad experience with the operation, configuration, and maintenance of military communications systems and radios.
Knowledge with military tactical data links (JREAP-C), radios operations (load, program, and troubleshoot), and RF theory.
Knowledge of VMF, SAT-J and/or JREAP.
Experience with operating radio equipment (PRC-117, MIDS JTRS) and general RF knowledge.
Experience with military aircraft operations.
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Job Details
- Category
- Technician
- Employment Type
- Full time
- Location
- Abroad
- Posted
- Jan 19, 2026, 07:00 PM
- Listed
- Jan 20, 2026, 01:30 PM
- Compensation
- $69,000 - $103,400 per year
About Northrop Grumman
Part of the growing space industry ecosystem pushing humanity toward interplanetary exploration.
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