Staff Field Engineer (Flight Test)

Relocation assistance may be available. Active DoD Secret clearance required for start. Travel required: 50% of the time.

About the role

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. 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.

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.

We are seeking a Staff Field Engineer based in Baltimore, MD, with travel to Western U.S. test sites (up to 50% travel, including surge periods and extended field deployments). This role supports the MUX TACAIR program, where NGMS is the prime contractor leading UAS design, implementation, and mission integration.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical lead for UAS flight test and operations, covering the airborne platform, tactical radios, control/data links, ground control stations, and evolving mission system payloads.
• Lead field and flight test support for the MUX TACAIR system from planning through execution and post-flight analysis.
• Integrate, configure, and troubleshoot the UAS platform, ground control station, tactical radios, and communications/data links between air and ground.
• Provide on-site diagnostics and root-cause analysis across platform, RF, network, and payloads; capture data and coordinate corrective actions with engineering teams.
• Support integration and verification of mission payloads during lab and flight test activities.
• Develop and maintain field procedures, checklists, and technical work instructions for flight test and operations.
• Generate flight test reports, discrepancy reports, and technical documentation to communicate performance, anomalies, and resolutions.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior field engineers, technicians, and operators in the flight test environment.
• Ensure all field activities comply with safety, spectrum, airworthiness, and security requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience; OR an additional 4 years’ experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Hands-on experience supporting UAS or other airborne platforms in a flight test or operational environment.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot at platform, RF, network, and payload levels using RF and network test tools and system logs/telemetry.
• Experience planning and supporting DoD flight test or range testing with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50%, including extended periods at field/test sites.
• U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Secret clearance are required, with ability to obtain program-specific clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Systems, Aerospace, Computer, RF/Communications, or related).
• Demonstrated experience with tactical radios and/or data links supporting air–ground command, control, and telemetry.
• Experience with UAS mission systems (flight control, navigation, ground control station software/HMI).
• Hands-on experience with RF payloads on airborne platforms.
• Knowledge of RF link budgets, antennas, propagation, and spectrum management for tactical communications/data links.
• Background in system integration and test (I&T) in both lab and flight test environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams in the field and interface directly with customers, test directors, and range personnel.

Pay

Primary level salary range: $139,700.00 – $209,500.00. The above range represents a general guideline; base salary offers consider the scope and responsibilities of the position, 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 reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.