(DoD SkillBridge) Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Oak Harbor
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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. NG- Military Internship Program Description: As one of the largest global security companies in the world, Northrop Grumman is proud to help our nation’s military personnel make the transition to civilian careers. Approximately 1/4th of Northrop Grumman’s 90,000 employees self-identify as veterans, and more than 1,600 are reservists. The Northrop Grumman Military Internship Program (NG-MIP) is an approved SkillBridge Program under Dept. of Defense Instruction 1322.29 .The NG-MIP program is an opportunity for transitioning service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through an individual internship during their last 6 months of service, for up to 180 days. The Northrop Grumman Military internship Program is open to all ranks and experience levels. SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from Northrop Grumman, as they continue to receive military compensation and benefits as active-duty service members . Responsibilities for this internship position are: Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has developed the Northrop Grumman – Military Internship Program (DoD SkillBridge) utilizing the DoDI guidance for SkillBridge. During this program the service member will be on-site at his or her host company performing an individual internship in an entry to mid-level career type role. The service member will be on the job training supporting a work schedule equivalent to 40hrs per week. Outlined below are the Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for the program. Goals – Provide transitioning service members fellowship-style job skills training during the last portion(s) of their military commitment. This program is specifically designed to offer internships that result in the potential to transition to a full-time opportunity as the conclusion of the training. Interns will serve as a pipeline for high-speed, motivated military candidates into NGC. Objectives - Service Members who complete the Intern program will be highly-trained, capable, future employees that align to the specific needs of the organization and are prepared to meet the NG mission “Defining Possible” on Day 1. This program provides a comprehensive internship experience including professional development, networking with leadership, and training specifically focused on NG leadership principles, company history, customer/stakeholder engagement, product and service overview, and core job responsibilities. Outcome – Offer transitioning service member a rewarding opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team. DoD SkillBridge Eligibility: Has served at least 180 days on active duty Is within 12 months of separation or retirement Will receive an honorable discharge Has taken any service TAPS/TGPS Has attended or participated in an ethics brief within the last 12 months Received Unit Commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) written authorization and approval to participate in DoD SkillBridge Program prior to start of internship Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer to our team at NAS Whidbey in Oak Harbor, WA. This position will be in our Avionics Integration Organization. This position reports to the Operations team lead within the Mission Systems Integrated Product Team (MS IPT) and will receive daily tasking and prioritization from their site lead. The selected candidate will be responsible for operations and maintenance support of the MQ-4C Triton sensors and communications systems at a Main Operating Base (MOB). Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Representing the organization as the on-site engineer for communications, networks, and payload subsystems Applying system knowledge to communicate complex technical issues to local site leadership, the Degrader Action Cell (DAC), Forward Operation Bases (FOBs), and Responsible Engineers (REs) Under direction of the DAC as system Technical Authority, reviewing and analyzing engineering schematics, NGC and supplier design data, and functional test artifacts to troubleshoot system issues Acting as liaison for internal Northrop Grumman engineering teams to ensure repeated success, providing redlines to procedures when necessary Providing real time support to flight operations and addressing any issues related to communications and/or payloads to include MFAS Radar, EO/IR, airborne recorder, and link16 to include fault isolation, remediation, and resolution. Following priorities set by local site leadership, perform system performance evaluations and assist with trend analysis as needed for Responsible Engineers (REs) Interact with local site leadership and Active Duty/Government customers on technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations Coordinating work with site leadership and confirming that Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs) are in place for all required work Perform nominal recovery procedures and provide immediate feedback to Government Mission Payload Operators (MPOs) during sorties Assist Government Air Vehicle Operators (AVOs) with Main Operating Base comms (voice), networks, and other AVO interfaces Capture relevant information from shift in logs, perform hotwash after sorties, and deliver pass-down to ongoing support team Attain and employ expertise across all supported sensor and communications systems The selected candidate will undergo training (lasting approximately six (6) months) at multiple US locations such as Rancho Bernardo, CA, Jacksonville, FL, and/or Baltimore, MD with a final assignment location at NAS Whidbey. Initially, this position will work a 9/80 shift. As the program matures, the shifts will become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote work available for this role. Outside of traveling for initial training, this position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time. This position can be filled at either the Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer level or the Senior Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below. MPR Basic Qualifications for Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer : Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of related engineering experience. Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, SecurityCE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs. Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools and equipment Familiarity with payloads operations or comms/networking operations Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). Must have the ability to obtain and maintain SCI access. Must have the ability to obtain a CI Polygraph. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs. Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer : Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 4 years of related engineering experience. Ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, SecurityCE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs. Competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools and equipment Familiarity with payloads operations or comms/networking operations Active DoD Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation). Must have the ability to obtain and maintain SCI access. Must have the ability to obtain a CI Polygraph. Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs. Preferred Qualifications for both levels: Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, SecurityCE, CCNP, and CISSP. Demonstrated understanding of MQ-4C sensors and communications payloads CCNA / CCNP Certification Experience with test equipment: network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators MPO/TC operator system knowledge System Administrator experience Operations and Maintenance experience at a field site Primary Level Salary Range: $100,300.00 - $150,500.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $124,900.00 - $187,300.00 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Federal Way , (DoD SkillBridge) Principal OR Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer - Payloads Field Service Engineer, Engineering , Oak Harbor, Washington