Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our organization is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Cyber Systems Engineer/Principal Cyber Systems Engineer based out of San Diego, CA. As a Cyber Systems Engineer/Principal Cyber Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Join our product deployment team supporting initial deployment, operations and maintenance of a complex airborne and terrestrial tactical communication system within our customer’s classified laboratories across the United States.
Perform hands-on system installation and integration activities, including staging, installing, and transporting equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
Work closely with several diverse Integrated Product Teams to quickly develop system and process knowledge, provide support on technical documentation, and collaborate on improvements to deployment processes.
Configures and maintains secure Linux, Windows, and cloud computing operating systems, with scans, patches, and hardening the computing environment to meet customer requirements
Collects, audits, generates reports and stores necessary log data for the system review and accounting requirements
Develops artifacts necessary to support assessment and authorization of the system
Maintain certifications and training of the most current and relevant technologies and aspects of a dynamic system with upgrades related to diminished manufacture supply (DMS) and new technologies.
Travel up to 50%
This position may be filled as a Cyber Systems Engineer or Principal Cyber Systems Engineer.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications for Cyber Systems Engineer:
Bachelors degree in science, engineering, or related discipline with 2 years of experience, or 0 years of experience with a Masters degree
An additional 4 years of relevant experience can be considered in lieu of Bachelors degree
- Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems, including user management, security patching, and troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with IPv4/IPv6 network architecture
- Familiarity with applying Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to secure and harden enterprise operating systems and applications.
- Familiarity with building, racking, stacking, and cabling enterprise server infrastructure within datacenter rack environments according to engineering schematics.
- Knowledge of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle.
- Experience with utilizing Splunk for log analysis, search querying, and dashboard creation.
Travel up to 50%
Must be US Citizen
Clearance: A current/active U.S Government Secret clearance and ability to obtain a U.S Government Top Secret clearance after starting
Must have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR) level clearance as a condition of continued employment
Basic Qualifications for Principal Cyber Systems Engineer:
Bachelors degree in science, engineering, or related discipline with 5 years of experience, or 3 years of experience with a Masters degree; or 1 year of experience with STEM PhD degree
An additional 4 years of relevant experience can be considered in lieu of Bachelors degree
- Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems, including user management, security patching, and troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with IPv4/IPv6 network architecture
- Familiarity with applying Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to secure and harden enterprise operating systems and applications.
- Familiarity with building, racking, stacking, and cabling enterprise server infrastructure within datacenter rack environments according to engineering schematics.
- Knowledge of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle.
- Experience with utilizing Splunk for log analysis, search querying, and dashboard creation.
Travel up to 50%
Must be US Citizen
Clearance: A current/active U.S Government Secret clearance and ability to obtain a U.S Government Top Secret clearance after starting
Must have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR) level clearance as a condition of continued employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to operate with considerable independence, and to self-identify/purse long-term interests
- Experience deploying, configuring, and managing Host Based Security System (HBSS) components, including McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) and point products.
- Experience developing Ansible playbooks and roles to automate system configuration, application deployment, and security hardening.
- Experience administering VMware vSphere environments, including ESXi host configuration, vCenter management, and virtual machine deployment.
- Familiarity with NCDSMO Raise the Bar (RTB) and current CDS/MLS vendors that are certified
- DoD 8570 Security certification such as Sec+, CASP, CISSP, or equivalent.
- Exposure to the Risk Management Framework and associated security controls.
- Familiar with Windows, Linux, and VMWare configuration and troubleshooting.
- Active Top Secret clearance
This position is contingent upon active clearance, ability to obtain and maintain SAP, and funding.
Primary Level Salary Range: $101,000.00 - $151,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $125,300.00 - $187,900.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or a related discipline with 2 years of experience, or a master’s degree with 0 years of experience; four additional relevant experience years may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.
- For the Principal level: Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or STEM PhD with 1 year of experience; four additional relevant experience years may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.
- Experience administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux, including user management, security patching, and troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with IPv4/IPv6 network architecture.
- Familiarity applying DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides to secure and harden operating systems and applications.
- Familiarity building, racking, stacking, and cabling enterprise server infrastructure in datacenter rack environments.
- Knowledge of the Risk Management Framework lifecycle.
- Experience using Splunk for log analysis, search querying, and dashboard creation.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Current and active U.S. Government Secret clearance; ability to obtain Top Secret clearance after starting.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR) clearance.
- Ability to operate independently and pursue long-term interests.
- Experience deploying, configuring, and managing HBSS components, including McAfee ePO and point products.
- Experience developing Ansible playbooks and roles for system configuration, application deployment, and security hardening.
- Experience administering VMware vSphere environments, including ESXi, vCenter, and virtual machine deployment.
- Familiarity with NCDSMO Raise the Bar and certified CDS/MLS vendors.
- DoD 8570 security certification such as Security+, CASP, CISSP, or equivalent.
- Exposure to RMF and associated security controls.
- Familiarity with Windows, Linux, and VMware configuration and troubleshooting.
- Active Top Secret clearance.
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
