Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (Principal or Sr. Principal Systems Engineer) to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Systems Engineering organization. This role is located in San Diego, CA.
In this role as the Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (CSE), you will assess software and hardware for vulnerabilities, develops automation for cybersecurity processes, and investigates complex technical issues.
Some Responsibilities would include:
- Solve complex technical problems involving cybersecurity concepts.
- Assess software static code analysis results.
- Complete Cybersecurity Impact Appraisals/Evaluations on hardware/software projects
- Generating and maintaining appropriate artifacts for Air Force authorization decisions.
- Performing system vulnerability scans utilizing tools such as ACAS and STIGs.
- Performing manual STIG / SRG verifications on disparate types of equipment including collecting and evaluating findings.
This role may be filled at either a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (Level 2) or a Cybersecurity Principal Systems Engineer (Level 3) level.
Basic Qualifications :
Applicable at a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer Level (level 3):
- Must have a Bachelors degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 3 relevant military / professional experience OR a PhD and at least 1 year of relevant military / professional / academic experience.
Applicable at a Cybersecurity Principal Systems Engineer Level (level 4):
- Must have a Bachelors degree in a STEM field and at least 8years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a Master's Degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant military / professional experience, OR a PhD and at least 4 years of relevant military / professional experience.
Applicable at Both Levels:
- Must have experience in Cybersecurity.
- Must have the ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance (with a background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- 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:
- CSSLP, CISSP, CEH, Security+
- Foundational knowledge and experience with core systems engineering principles, including:
- Requirements development, allocation, and traceability
- Verification and validation planning and execution
- Engineering Change Processes
- Experience performing cybersecurity impact assessments during design changes, capability upgrades, and/or baseline reviews.
- Experience performing system vulnerability scans utilizing tools such ACAS, and automated STIG tools such as Evaluate STIG or Security Compliance Checker.
- Experience with networking technologies, router and switch configurations, troubleshooting and security / vulnerability assessments.
- An active U.S. government Secret clearance or higher (with background investigation completed within the last 6 years or currently enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 5 years of relevant military or professional experience for Level 3
- Master's degree in a STEM field and 3 years of relevant military or professional experience for Level 3
- PhD and 1 year of relevant military, professional, or academic experience for Level 3
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 8 years of relevant military or professional experience for Level 4
- Master's degree in a STEM field and 5 years of relevant military or professional experience for Level 4
- PhD and 4 years of relevant military or professional experience for Level 4
- Experience in cybersecurity
- Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance
- CSSLP, CISSP, CEH, or Security+ certification
- Knowledge of systems engineering principles, including requirements development, traceability, verification, validation, and engineering change processes
- Experience performing cybersecurity impact assessments
- Experience with ACAS and automated STIG tools such as Evaluate STIG or Security Compliance Checker
- Experience with networking technologies, router and switch configurations, troubleshooting, and security assessments
- Active U.S. government Secret clearance or higher
- U.S. citizenship for positions requiring government 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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What We Do
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.








