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.
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 SkillBridge Program prior to start.
#MPR
IMPORTANT – Complete the SkillBridge prescreening questions online – Click here to access
Job Description
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 Network Engineer based out of San Diego, CA. As a Network 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:
The Northrop Grumman Resilient Network Solutions (RNS) operating unit seeks a highly-motivated Network Engineer to join our team in San Diego, CA. Our communication systems experts develop next-generation strategic and tactical communication systems for our armed forces. Realize the rewards of conquering a new challenge in a dynamic and highly-technical working environment by joining our team of qualified, diverse individuals.
RNS network engineers design, integrate, and operate secure, military communications networks. They deliver detailed network schematics, hardware selections, and software configurations that meet performance requirements. Network engineers maintain an advanced technical understanding of TCP/IP networks and current products and technologies like routers, firewalls, and switches. They employ necessary tools and procedures to meet cyber-security requirements for sensitive/classified communications systems. Our engineers operate as part of an integrated product team to troubleshoot network problems and support various devices that use the network, including computers that run operating systems like Windows, Linux, and VMWare.
Ideal candidates for this position will have specific qualifications derived from practical experience and study. We seek networking experts that understand advanced networking features, network security, and network management. Candidates also benefit from experience with our common tools and equipment. See the preferred qualifications, summarized below.
Basic Qualifications Level 2:
- 2 Years with Bachelors in Science; 0 Years with Masters
- Current expertise with network specifications, configuration and System hardening
- Expertise with IP subnetting and protocols including BGP, OSPF and EIGRP
- Expertise with network device configuration and troubleshooting (ideally, Cisco IOS/IOS-XE)
- Good understanding of advanced features like IPv6, GRE, IPSEC, IP quality-of-service, VLANs, and multicast.
- Good understanding network security features like IP access-lists and stateful protocol inspections.
- Familiar with network management protocols, like SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS
- Ability to operate as part of an engineering team, including knowledge of related disciplines.
- Ability to interact with senior customer organizations and personnel.
- Ability to operate with considerable independence, and to self-identify/pursue long-term interests.
- Ability to communicate well, including proficiency with MS Office tools, including PowerPoint and Visio
- Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance; US Citizenship is required in order to obtain and maintain security clearance
Basic Qualifications Level 3:
- 5 Years with Bachelors in Science; 3 Years with Masters; 0 Years with PhD
- Current expertise with network specifications, configuration and System hardening
- Expertise with IP subnetting and protocols including BGP, OSPF and EIGRP
- Expertise with network device configuration and troubleshooting (ideally, Cisco IOS/IOS-XE)
- Good understanding of advanced features like IPv6, GRE, IPSEC, IP quality-of-service, VLANs, and multicast.
- Good understanding network security features like IP access-lists and stateful protocol inspections.
- Familiar with network management protocols, like SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS
- Ability to operate as part of an engineering team, including knowledge of related disciplines.
- Ability to interact with senior customer organizations and personnel.
- Ability to operate with considerable independence, and to self-identify/pursue long-term interests.
- Ability to communicate well, including proficiency with MS Office tools, including PowerPoint and Visio
- Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance; US Citizenship is required in order to obtain and maintain security clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- A professional certification specific to the networking industry like a CCNA/CCNP/CCIE, JNCIA/JNCIE, or equivalent.
- Familiar with network management applications, like WhatsUpGold, Splunk, Solarwinds, and/or Cisco ISE.
- Familiar with Windows, Linux, and VMWare configuration and troubleshooting.
- Experience with HAIPE/TACLANE and other military COMSEC/CRYPTO equipment and procedures.
- Experience with tactical/military radio networks, like Common Data Link (CDL) and ANW2.
- Experience with (MIL) SATCOM equipment and services.
- Experience with Cisco Unified Communications / VoIP and VTC
- Experience with Cisco Modelling Labs (CML) or Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL).
- Experience with wide-area service-provider technologies like MPLS and SONET
- Exposure to the Risk Management Framework, associated security controls, and STIGs.
- Active DoD Secret Clearance
Skills Required
- Expertise with IP subnetting and routing protocols including BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP
- Experience with network device configuration and troubleshooting (ideally Cisco IOS/IOS-XE)
- Understanding of advanced features: IPv6, GRE, IPSEC, QoS, VLANs, and multicast
- Understanding of network security features such as IP access-lists and stateful protocol inspections
- Familiarity with network management protocols: SNMP, SSH, syslog, RADIUS/TACACS
- Proficiency with MS Office tools, including PowerPoint and Visio
- Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance; U.S. Citizenship required
- SkillBridge eligibility (served ≥180 days active duty, within 12 months of separation/retirement, honorable discharge, commander authorization, ethics brief, etc.)
- Level 2 experience: 2 years with Bachelors (or 0 years with Masters)
- Level 3 experience: 5 years with Bachelors; 3 years with Masters
- Familiarity with Windows, Linux, and VMware configuration and troubleshooting
- Professional networking certification (CCNA/CCNP/CCIE or JNCIA/JNCIE) or equivalent
- Familiarity with management tools: WhatsUpGold, Splunk, SolarWinds, and/or Cisco ISE
- Experience with HAIPE/TACLANE, military COMSEC/CRYPTO, tactical radio networks (CDL, ANW2), MIL SATCOM
- Experience with Cisco Unified Communications/VoIP/VTC, CML/VIRL, MPLS, SONET
- Exposure to Risk Management Framework (RMF) and STIGs
- Active DoD 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.
-
Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
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.









