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Payload Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

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Payload information

What is a payload specialist?

Payload specialists are experts selected to manage and operate specific scientific or technical equipment on space missions, often aboard spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle or International Space Station. They are typically responsible for the preparation, execution, and monitoring of experiments or cargo during a mission. Payload specialists can come from scientific, engineering, or industry backgrounds and are chosen for their expertise related to the mission's payload. Their role is distinct from that of career astronauts, as they focus primarily on the payload rather than the overall operation of the spacecraft.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a payload specialist?

To thrive as a Payload Specialist, you typically need a background in engineering, physics, or a related science field, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with aerospace systems. Familiarity with mission planning software, payload integration tools, and systems such as MATLAB or LabVIEW is common, along with certifications like ITAR compliance when required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for managing complex payload operations. These abilities ensure safe, reliable, and mission-optimized payload deployment in high-stakes aerospace environments.

What are some common challenges faced by payload specialists when working on multidisciplinary teams in aerospace projects?

Payload Specialists often collaborate with engineers, scientists, and project managers, which requires clear communication and adaptability to different technical perspectives. A common challenge is ensuring that payload requirements are integrated smoothly with other subsystems, often under tight deadlines and shifting project priorities. Successful Payload Specialists proactively coordinate with other teams, anticipate integration issues, and remain flexible to accommodate late-stage design changes. This environment fosters strong problem-solving skills and can provide excellent opportunities for professional growth within multidisciplinary aerospace teams.

What is the difference between Payload vs Data Analyst?

AspectPayloadData Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically no specific certifications, but knowledge of logistics and transportationBachelor's degree in statistics, data science, or related field
Work EnvironmentLogistics, transportation, or delivery settingsOffice-based, data analysis, reporting, and visualization tasks
Employer & Industry UsageLogistics companies, courier services, transportation firmsCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared in logistics contextsCompared in data management and analysis contexts

While Payload refers to the cargo or goods transported, Data Analyst focuses on interpreting data to inform business decisions. Both roles are essential in their industries but serve different functions—one in logistics and transportation, the other in data-driven insights.

What is payload and how does it work?

In the context of a payload specialist or related roles, payload refers to the cargo, equipment, or scientific instruments carried on a vehicle such as a spacecraft, drone, or aircraft. The payload is designed to perform specific functions, and its deployment or operation is managed by the payload specialist or technician, often requiring knowledge of aerospace systems, safety protocols, and relevant tools. Understanding payload integration and handling is essential for ensuring mission success and safety.

What are the most commonly searched types of Payload jobs in Florida?

The most popular types of Payload jobs in Florida are:

Infographic showing various Payload job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Principal Engineer Systems - Payloads Field Service / Senior Principal Engineer Systems - Payload...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Jacksonville, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 367 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 544 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Engineer Systems - Payloads Field Service or Senior Principal Engineer Systems - Payloads Field Service to join the team of qualified individuals in our Systems Engineering Organization. This role is located onsite in Mayport, FL

This position requires 6+ months of training on a Domestic Assignment to San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA with some travel to other US locations such as Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL. Final assignment location in Mayport, Florida.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote work available for this role. Shifts will become 12-hour shifts that could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays. Outside of traveling for initial training, this position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Provide real time support to flight operations and maintenance, 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
  • Coordinate work with site leadership and confirm that Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs) are in place for all required work
  • Adhere to checklists and procedures to ensure repeated success and providing redlines to procedures when necessary
  • Communicate complex technical issues to local support, the Degrader Action Cell (DAC), Main Operation Bases (MOBs), and Responsible Engineers (REs)
  • Support and lead air crew engagement for proper techniques in solving complex analysis of technical problems that arise during operations
  • Assist with trend analysis as needed for Responsible Engineers (REs)
  • Assist AVO with Main Operating Base comms (voice), networks, and other AVO interfaces
  • Attain and employ expertise across all supported sensor and communications systems

***This position can be filled at either the Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer OR Senior Principal Payloads Field Service Engineer, depending upon the qualifications below.***

Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer Systems - Payloads Field Service:

  • 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 AND 1 year of related engineering experience.
  • Must have ability to successfully complete required training in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA with some travel to other US locations such as Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL.
  • Must have ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Must have competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools, and equipment
  • Must have familiarity with payloads operations and/or comms/networking operations
  • Must have a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
  • Must have the ability to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI Clearance within a reasonable amount of time to meet business needs
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Engineer Systems - Payloads Field Service:

  • 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 AND 3 years of related engineering experience.
  • Must have ability to successfully complete required training in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), CA with some travel to other US locations such as Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL.
  • Must have ability to obtain and maintain DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP. This certificate must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
  • Must have competence in Linux, troubleshooting, engineering documents, tools, and equipment
  • Must have familiarity with payloads operations and/or comms/networking operations
  • Must have a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation)
  • Must have the ability to obtain a Top-Secret/SCI Clearance within a reasonable amount of time to meet business needs
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active U.S. Government Top Secret Security Clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Active DoD 8140 approved IAT Level II (or higher) compliant certification. Examples include: CCNA Security, Security+CE, CCNP, and CISSP.
  • Demonstrated understanding of MQ-4C sensors and communications payloads
  • 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: $0.00 - $0.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $0.00 - $0.00The 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.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939