Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
In this role, success comes with being a self-starter with experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment and partnering with engineering, cybersecurity, program, and stakeholder teams to support cybersecurity execution across Development and Sustainment activities.
Roles and Responsibilities include:
- Support Development and Sustainment programs by identifying cybersecurity risks and supporting the design, development, integration, test, and verification of system security solutions.
- Identify cybersecurity risks, work with stakeholders to develop technical and programmatic remediation plans, and support incorporation of cybersecurity improvements into the system.
- Engage customer counterparts and internal stakeholders to drive improvements to the weapon system’s cybersecurity posture.
- Support cybersecurity vulnerability management activities, including review, analysis, prioritization, and disposition of vulnerability findings.
- Support cybersecurity scanning and assessment activities using approved cybersecurity assessment tools.
- Support development, review, and maintenance of cybersecurity compliance packages and related cybersecurity evidence.
- Support requirements management activities, including review and verification of cybersecurity-related requirements.
- Coordinate with systems engineering, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders to support cybersecurity execution across the system lifecycle.
- Support preparation and presentation of cybersecurity and systems engineering materials for program reviews, working groups, and stakeholder discussions.
- Apply systems thinking to evaluate cybersecurity impacts across system architecture, operational constraints, and mission needs.
- Support process improvement efforts that strengthen cybersecurity execution, traceability, planning, and closure discipline.
This role requires full-time onsite work at the Rancho Bernardo, CA facility. There is no remote, hybrid, or telework availability for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required in support of program needs.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of related engineering experience.
- Must have experience in one or more Systems Engineering areas such as technical planning, system design development, verification and validation, cost and risk, requirements management, formal program review support, requirements verification, model-based systems engineering, or system lifecycle execution.
- Must have an active US Government Top Secret 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:
- Current applicable Special Access Program access.
- Experience in cybersecurity vulnerability management, cybersecurity scanning and assessment, cybersecurity compliance package development, or cybersecurity requirements verification.
- Experience with cybersecurity assessment tools such as ACAS or Nessus.
- Experience working directly with Authorization to Operate documentation or related cybersecurity authorization packages.
- Experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years related engineering experience OR Master's with 3 years OR PhD with 1 year
- Experience in systems engineering (technical planning, system design, V&V, requirements management, MBSE, lifecycle execution)
- Active US Government Top Secret clearance (background investigation within last 6 years or currently enrolled in Continuous Evaluation)
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Work full-time onsite at Rancho Bernardo, CA (no remote or hybrid)
- Travel up to 25% as required by program
- Experience in cybersecurity vulnerability management, scanning/assessment, and compliance package development
- Experience with cybersecurity assessment tools such as ACAS or Nessus
- Experience with Authorization to Operate documentation or cybersecurity authorization packages
- Experience working in an Integrated Product Team environment with engineering, cybersecurity, software, integration/test, configuration management, and program stakeholders
- Current applicable Special Access Program access
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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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.
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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.
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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.





